Lift Distributions for Minimum Induced Drag with Generalized Bending Moment Constraints

Abstract

The previous works of Prandtl, Jones, and Klein and Viswanathan addressed the problem of determining the lift distribution that minimizes induced drag for a given lift and specified bending moment. In these formulations, bending moment is considered to be a surrogate for wing weight. These classical methods require the bending constraints to be imposed at the same lift coefficient at which drag is minimized. In practice, however, it is commonly desired to minimize drag at a representative cruise lift coefficient while imposing the bending constraints at a limiting structural load condition, such as a maneuver lift coefficient. This paper presents an approach to extend the classical methods by allowing the bending constraints to be imposed at different lift coefficients than that at which induced drag is minimized. An example for a wing planform similar to that of a Boeing 737 shows that the penalty for optimizing induced drag at the maneuver lift coefficient as implied in the classical methods results in between a 1–10% increase in drag at cruise compared to the results from this new approach. It is expected that the new approach will enable the classical methods to be extended to practical applications in multidisciplinary wing design.