Multidisciplinary Design Optimization of a transonic strut-braced wing aircraft

The objective of this study was to use Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) to~investigate the use of truss-braced wing concepts in concert with other advanced technologies to obtain a significant improvement in the performance of transonic transport aircraft. To perform this study, a suite of approximate analysis tools was assembled into a complete, conceptual-level MD0 code. A typical mission of the Boeing 777-2001GW was chosen as the design mission profile. Several single-strut configurations were optimized for minimum takeoff gross weight, using eighteen design variables and seven constraints. The best single-strut configuration shows a 15% reduction in takeoff gross weight, a 29% reduction in fuel weight, a 28% increase in the lift-to-drag ratio, and a 41% increase in seat-miles per gallon relative to a comparable cantilever configuration. In addition to the MD0 work, an innovative arch-braced wing concept has been proposed. A plastic solid model of this configuration was created using the I-DEAS solid modeling software and the rapid prototyping hardware at Virginia Tech.