Multiobjective optimization of the LASER aircraft wing’s composite structural design
Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology
ISSN: 0002-2667
Article publication date: 17 June 2021
Issue publication date: 12 August 2021
Abstract
Purpose
Aircraft wings, one of the most important parts of an aircraft, have seen changes in its topological and design arrangement of both the internal structures and external shape during the past decades. This study, a numerical, aims to minimize the weight of multilaminate composite aerospace structures using multiobjective optimization.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology started with the determination of the requirements, both imposed by the certifying authority and those inherent to the light, aerobatic, simple, economic and robust (LASER) project. After defining the requirements, the loads that the aircraft would be subjected to during its operation were defined from the flight envelope considering finite element analysis. The design vector consists of material choice for each laminate of the structure (20 in total), ply number and lay-up sequence (respecting the manufacturing rules) and main spar position to obtain a lightweight and cheap structure, respecting the restrictions of stress, margins of safety, displacements and buckling.
Findings
The results obtained indicated a predominance of the use of carbon fiber. The predominant orientation found on the main spar flange was 0° with its location at 28% of the local chord, in the secondary and main web were ±45°, the skins also had the main orientation at ±45°.
Originality/value
The key innovations in this paper include the evaluation, development and optimization of a laminated composite structure applied to a LASER aircraft wings considering both structural performance and manufacturing costs in multiobjetive optimization. This paper is one of the most advanced investigations performed to composite LASER aircraft.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the Universidade Federal de Itajubá and Haute Ecole Provinciale de Hainaut for the facility support.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Citation
Ricci, J.T., Coimbra, R.F.F. and Gomes, G.F. (2021), "Multiobjective optimization of the LASER aircraft wing’s composite structural design", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 93 No. 6, pp. 995-1010. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-06-2020-0113
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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