Structural optimization of a small aircraft wing from aeroelastic responses

Abstract

The objective of weight reduction and the introduction of new materials lead to aeronautical structures that are less stiff. As a consequence, coupled fluid-structure simulations become essential to predict the performance of aircraft. In addition, structural design can now benefit from the use of mature optimization techniques. In this paper, these two disciplines are combined and applied to the structural design of a lightweight six-passenger aircraft wing.