Uncertainty analysis and design optimization of solid rocket motors with finocyl grain

Abstract

The traditional multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) method for the conceptual design of the solid rocket motor (SRM) is usually deterministic and seldom focuses on systematic design optimization. This paper develops a systematic design model of the SRM with a finocyl grain and proposes an approach for uncertainty analysis and design optimization of SRM. The mean value and standard deviation of the target function, as well as the probability that the constraints can be met, are calculated using Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) analysis. The uncertainty-based multidisciplinary design optimization (UMDO), together with the deterministic multidisciplinary design optimization (DMDO), is applied to the conceptual design of SRM based on the third-stage engine ZEFIRO9 of the Vega launch vehicle. By main effect diagrams and Pareto diagrams, the most influential design variables and standard deviation of uncertain parameters are obtained, which can help designers understand more of the uncertainty relationships between parameters and system performance.