Towards integrated multidisciplinary synthesis of actively controlled fiber composite wings

Abstract

The synthesis of actively controlled composite wings is formulated as a multidisciplinary optimization problem. A unique integration of analysis techniques spanning the disciplines of structures, aerodynamics, and controls is described. A rich variety of behavior constraints can be treated including stress, displacement, control surface travel and hinge moment, natural frequency, aeroservoelastic stability, gust response, and handling quality constraints, as well as performance measures in terms of drag/lift coefficients, drag polar shape, required load factor or roll rate, and wing mass. The design space includes a simultaneous treatment of structural, aerodynamic, and control system design variables. The paper sets the stage for multidisciplinary wing optimization by describing the capabilities and discussing the accuracy of the analysis and related behavior sensitivity analysis. Applicability of approximation concepts to the multidisciplinary optimization problem is examined by studying typical aeroservoelastic stability, gust response, and performance-related constraints. The computational efficiency of the combined analysis and sensitivity as well as the quality of key behavior constraint approximations indicate that single-level optimization of composite, actively controlled practical wings is within reach.