Assessment of geometrically-nonlinear effects in aircraft loads
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Aeronautics
Abstract
Current practice on aircraft loads is based on linear structural dynamics modelling. This is a valid assumption for relatively stiff wings, but it fails to capture some key effects as the aspect ratio of the wings becomes higher. They include the geometric stiffening of the wings, the rotation of the aerodynamic forces as they follow the deforming geometry, and changes on both the aerodynamic and the inertia characteristics due to large geometrical variations, among others. To investigate the relevance that this could have in the design of future lighter and more flexible aircraft wings, this project will address the following problems:
- Development of analysis tools capable of incorporate geometric nonlinearity on complex for gust and manoeuvre loads
- Computation of loads with and without geometric nonlinear on high aspect ratio wing design, including an analysis of the main implications on design.
The analysis methods should apply to existing aircraft finite-element models, which are designed for linear analysis, and efficiently capture any relevant changes on the aerodynamic shapes due to the large deformations. Finally, the project will carry out an assessment of the computational costs associated to nonlinear (time-domain) analysis and propose strategies to generate production-ready computational solutions
- Development of analysis tools capable of incorporate geometric nonlinearity on complex for gust and manoeuvre loads
- Computation of loads with and without geometric nonlinear on high aspect ratio wing design, including an analysis of the main implications on design.
The analysis methods should apply to existing aircraft finite-element models, which are designed for linear analysis, and efficiently capture any relevant changes on the aerodynamic shapes due to the large deformations. Finally, the project will carry out an assessment of the computational costs associated to nonlinear (time-domain) analysis and propose strategies to generate production-ready computational solutions
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/P51052X/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/03/2022 | |||
| 1817456 | Studentship | EP/P51052X/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/11/2020 | Alvaro Cea Esteban |
| Description | A new computational tool has been developed for nonlinear aeroelasticity of industrial-scale models. The methodology has been demonstrated on a range of examples from basic benchmark problems to an Airbus type of aircraft. The principal investigator will use the tools developed in order to assess the geometrically nonlinear effects in the loads of aircraft that undergo large deformations. |
| Exploitation Route | This work could be used for nonlinear multidisciplinary analysis of large aircraft models. Coupled with optimization solvers could yield aeroelastic tailoring of detailed wings. Addition of nonlinear controls could improve current industrial practice in the controllability of aircraft. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
| Description | Initial contact with Airbus company to incorporate the academic findings of this work into their design tools. This could potentially open new ways for designing more slender, ultra-efficient aircraft that help reducing emissions while the competitive edge of the vehicles is maintained. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | Robust- and sustainable-by-design ultra-high aspect ratio wing and airframe (RHEA) |
| Amount | € 2,000,000 (EUR) |
| Funding ID | 883670 |
| Organisation | European Commission H2020 |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Belgium |
| Start | 06/2020 |
| End | 05/2022 |