Optimization process for configuration of flexible joined-wing

An optimized configuration design utilizing both structural and aerodynamic analyses of a flexible joined-wing configuration is presented in this paper. The joined-wing aircraft concept fulfills a proposed long-endurance surveillance mission and incorporates a load-bearing antenna structure embedded in the wing skin. Aerodynamic, structural, and optimization analyses are completed a number of times. A range of joined-wing configurations were trimmed for critical flight conditions and then structurally optimized for trimmed flight and gust loads to achieve a minimum weight for each configuration. A response surface statistical analysis was then applied to determine optimal joined-wing aircraft configurations. The response surface showed trends in the design of lightweight joined-wing aircraft.

[1]  Robert A. Canfield,et al.  A JOINED-WING STRUCTURAL WEIGHT MODELING STUDY , 2002 .

[2]  Ilan Kroo,et al.  Structural optimization for joined-wing synthesis , 1996 .

[3]  Robert A. Canfield,et al.  Optimization process for configuration of flexible joined-wing , 2004 .

[4]  Daniel P. Raymer,et al.  Aircraft Design: A Conceptual Approach , 1989 .

[5]  R. K. Nangia,et al.  Unconventional High Aspect Ratio Joined-Wing Aircraft with Aft- and Forward-Swept Wing-Tips , 2003 .

[6]  J. H. Starnes,et al.  Construction of Response Surface Approximations for Design Optimization , 1998 .

[7]  R. H. Myers,et al.  Response Surface Methodology: Process and Product Optimization Using Designed Experiments , 1995 .

[8]  Kendall E. Atkinson.  An introduction to numerical analysis , 1978 .

[9]  Robert A. Canfield,et al.  Joined-Wing Aeroelastic Design with Geometric Nonlinearity , 2005 .

[10]  Ronald Stearman.  Influence of joint fixity on the aeroelastic characteristics of a joined wing structure , 1990 .

[11]  Ilan Kroo,et al.  Aerodynamic and structural studies of joined-wing aircraft , 1991 .

[12]  E. Livne,et al.  Aeroelasticity of joined-wing airplane configurations - Past work and future challenges - a survey , 2001 .

[13]  Ilan Kroo,et al.  Optimization of Joined-Wing Aircraft , 1993 .

[14]  Terrence Weisshaar,et al.  Aeroelastic Tailoring of Joined-Wing Configurations , 2002 .

[15]  J. Wolkovitch,et al.  The joined wing - An overview , 1985 .

[16]  Ilan Kroo,et al.  The design of a joined wing flight demonstrator aircraft , 1987 .

[17]  Robert A. Canfield,et al.  Joined-Wing Sensor-Craft Configuration Design , 2004 .