Multidisciplinary Optimization of Fiber Composite Aircraft Structures

Abstract

The paper deals with the application of a method of structural optimization to find optimal layouts of fiber composite structures in aircraft construction. The goal of the optimization process is to minimize the structural weight and, simultaneously, to fulfill multidisciplinary constraints concerning failure criteria, stability requirements, dynamic responses, aeroelastic efficiencies and flutter speeds. Considering these requirements, the optimal values for the layer thicknesses and the fiber orientations of composite structures must be determined. This problem can efficiently be solved by structural optimization methods. The model formulation in structural optimization will be described in general as well as the special optimization model and the structural and sensitivity analysis for fiber composite structures. An application example demonstrates the performance of the whole procedure. This example shows that the structural optimization method is very useful to increase the efficiency of the design process as well as the quality and performance of aircraft structures.