INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES FOR THE FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS AND OPTIMISATION OF COMPOSITE STRUCTURES

Current methods for the conceptual design of composite control surfaces focus on the analysis of the structure to meet specific design loads. The final design is usually obtained by trial and error, rather than utilising the optimisation routines of finite element (FE) software. However, while optimisation routines produce an analytical optimum, this often does not correlate well with a manufacturable optimum. By utilising new methodologies and techniques to achieve the optimum design of a composite structure, FE analysis can be more fully employed in the design process. Investigation of cost effective and reliable methods for the optimisation and analysis of these structures and the detailed modelling aspects associated with the FE analysis of a control surface are discussed. Discussion focuses on the design of rib and spar reinforced composite control surfaces, but is not limited to these structures. The outcome of this research was the investigation of many innovative FE analysis techniques to produce an optimum design. Results showed that by utilising some novel and simple techniques it is possible to further improve the design and optimisation process, such that the result is a shorter design cycle and improved optimum. These techniques are simple to employ at the preliminary design stage, without complicating the design process.