Multidisciplinary optimization of high aspect ratio composite wings with geometrical nonlinearity and aeroelastic tailoring

Abstract

This study presents a systematic numerical approach for the design and optimization of high aspect ratio composite wings subjected to aerodynamic loads. The primary objective is to develop a multi-objective, multi-disciplinary optimization framework that considers aerostructural constraints, such as subsonic aeroelasticity and geometrical nonlinearity. The incorporation of anisotropic properties of composite materials is emphasized to construct lightweight aerospace structures. Aeroelastic tailoring, a technique leveraging these properties, is employed in the optimization process. The proposed methodology integrates three analysis tools, Finite Element software for structural behavior simulation, an in-house Reduced Order Model (ROM) framework for nonlinear aeroelastic analyses with tailoring capabilities, and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) as a population-based stochastic optimization method. This integration enables the development of a powerful numerical approach, implemented in the Nonlinear Aeroelastic Simulation Software (NAS2) package, for designing composite wings with optimized aeroelastic and structural performance. The proposed methodology has broad applicability in aerospace engineering, encompassing aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles, offering significant potential to enhance their design and overall performance.