Multidisciplinary Design Optimization of Transport Class Aircraft

Abstract

A 70–80 passenger transport aircraft has been designed using third generation MDO technique. The MDO framework is used to parametrically explore the design space consisting of variables from aerodynamics, structure and control disciplines thereby studying the effects of alternative aerodynamics, structural and material concepts. It employs a panel code for aerodynamic analysis of aircraft and a finite element method for wing level structural optimization and weight estimation. The outputs from these codes are used to perform mission analysis and performance estimation. Stability constraints are implemented by calculating the amount of control power required for static stability and design concepts that do not fulfill the constraints are rejected. This integrated design environment is completely automated. The aircraft is optimized for maximum range using genetic algorithm.