Integrated aerodynamics/structure/stability optimization of large aircraft in conceptual design

Abstract

The multidisciplinary design optimization is suitable for modern large aircraft, and it has the potential in conceptual phase of aircraft design especially. An integrated optimization method considering the disciplines of aerodynamics, structure and stability for large aircraft design in conceptual phase is presented. The objective is the minimum stiffness of a beam-frame wing structure subject to aeroelasticity, aerodynamics, and stability constraints. The aeroelastic responses are computed by commercial software MSC. Nastran, and the cruise stability is evaluated by the linear small-disturbance equations. A viscous-inviscid iteration method, which is composed of a computational fluid dynamics tool solving the Euler equations and a viscous correction method, is used for computing the flow over the model. The method ensures effective and rapid computation. In this paper, a complete aircraft model is optimized, and all the responses are computed in the trim condition with a fixed maximum takeoff weight. Genetic algorithm is utilized for global optimizations, and the optimal jig shape, the elastic axis positions and the stiffness distribution can be attained adequately. The results show that the method has a value of application in engineering optimizations. For the satisfaction of the total drag and stability constraints, the structure weight usually needs a price to pay. The integrated optimization captures the tradeoff between aerodynamics, structure and stability, and the repeated design can be avoided.

Keywords

Integrated optimization large aircraft conceptual design stiffness design wing planform geometry aeroelasticity aerodynamics stability

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Lyu

Martins

JRRA

. Aerodynamic shape optimization of an adaptive morphing trailing-edge wing. J Aircraft 2015; 52: 1951–1970.

Chen

Lyu

Kenway

GKW

et al.

Aerodynamic shape optimization of common research model wing–body–tail configuration. J Aircraft 2016; 53: 276–293.

Watanabe

Matsushima

Nakahashi

. Aerodynamic Shape optimization of a near-sonic passenger plane using computational fluid dynamics. Proc IMechE, Part G: J Aerospace Engineering 2008; 222: 1025–1035.

Boulkeraa

Ghenaiet

Mendez

et al.

A numerical optimization chain combining computational fluid dynamics and surrogate analysis for the aerodynamic design of airfoils. Proc IMechE, Part G: J Aerospace Engineering 2014; 228: 1964–1981.

Morris

Allen

Rendall

TCS

. Aerodynamic shape optimization of a modern transport wing using only planform variations. Proc IMechE, Part G: J Aerospace Engineering 2014; 223: 843–851.

Allen

Rendall

TCS

. CFD-based optimization of hovering rotors using radial basis functions for shape parameterization and mesh deformation. Optim Eng 2013; 14: 97–118.

Dillinger

JKS

Klimmek

Abdalla

et al.

Stiffness optimization of composite wings with aeroelastic constraints. J Aircraft 2013; 50: 1159–1168.

Liu DY, Wan ZQ, Yang C, et al. Primary modeling and analysis of wing based on aeroelastic optimization. In: 51st AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC structures, structural dynamics, and materials conference, Orlando, FL, USA, 12–15 April 2010, AIAA 2010-2719.

Wan

Liu

Tang

et al.

Studies on the influence of spar position on aeroelastic optimization of a large aircraft wing. Sci China Technol Sci 2012; 55: 117–124.

10.

Liang

Wan

Yang

. Aeroelastic optimization on composite skins of large aircraft wings. Sci China Technol Sci 2012; 55: 1078–1085.

11.

Wan

Xiao

Yang

. Robust design optimization of flexible backswept wings with structural uncertainties. J Aircraft 2011; 48: 1806–1809.

12.

Wan

Zhang

et al.

Aeroelastic two-level optimization for preliminary design of wing structures considering robust constraints. Chin J Aeronaut 2014; 27: 259–265.

13.

Elham

Tooren

MJL

. Tool for preliminary structural sizing, weight estimation, and aeroelastic optimization of lifting surfaces. Proc IMechE, Part G: J Aerospace Engineering 2016; 230: 280–295.

14.

Wan ZQ, Yang C and Zou CQ. Design studies of aeroelastic tailoring of forward-swept composite aircraft using hybrid genetic algorithm. In: 44th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS structures, structural dynamics, and materials conference, Norfolk, VA, USA, 7–10 April 2003, AIAA 2003-1491.

15.

Guo

Liu

. Multi-objective optimization of a composite wing subject to strength and aeroelastic constraints. Proc IMechE, Part G: J Aerospace Engineering 2011; 226: 1095–1106.

16.

Wan

Liang

Yang

. Method of the jig shape design for a flexible wing. J Aircraft 2014; 51: 327–330.

17.

Yang

Chen

Cui

. Response surface technique for static aeroelastic optimization on a high-aspect-ratio wing. J Aircraft 2009; 46: 1444–1450.

18.

Zhu

. An inverse integral 3D compressible boundary layer method and coupling with transonic inviscid solution. Acta Mech 1991; 89: 187–208.

19.

Zhang

Han

et al.

Coupled aerodynamic/structural optimization of a subsonic transport wing using a surrogate model. J Aircraft 2008; 45: 2167–2170.

20.

Sekar

Laschka

. Calculation of the transonic dip of airfoils using viscous-inviscid aerodynamic interaction method. Aerosp Sci Technol 2005; 9: 661–671.

21.

Zhang ML, Yang C and Wan ZQ. Aerodynamic shape optimization and static aeroelastic analysis of a morphing trailing edge wing. In: AIAA SciTech, 54th AIAA aerospace sciences meeting, San Diego, CA, USA, 4–8 January 2016, AIAA 2016-1783.

22.

. Optimization method, Nanjing: Southeast University Press, 2009, pp. 66–133.

23.

Ren

Zhu

Dimirovski

et al.

A new pipe routing method for aero-engines based on genetic algorithm. Proc IMechE, Part G: J Aerospace Engineering 2014; 228: 424–434.

24.

Antunes

Azevedo

JLF

. Studies in aerodynamic optimization based on genetic algorithms. J Aircraft 2014; 51: 1002–1012.

25.

Analytical methods, Inc. MGAERO user’s manual version 3.5. Redmond, Washington, USA, 2010.

26.

Dam van

Nikfetrat

Wong

et al.

Drag prediction at subsonic and transonic speeds using Euler methods. J Aircraft 1995; 32: 839–845.

27.

Fang

Chen

Zhang

. Flight dynamics of aircraft, Beijing: Beihang University Press, 2005, pp. 206–286.

28.

Harder

Desmarais

. Interpolation using surface splines. J Aircraft 1972; 9: 189–191.

29.

Gong

. Structural mechanics, Beijing: Beihang University Press, 2001, pp. 110–141.