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

摘要

Current methods for the conceptual design ofrncomposite control surfaces focus on thernanalysis of the structure to meet specific designrnloads. The final design is usually obtained byrntrial and error, rather than utilising thernoptimisation routines of finite element (FE)rnsoftware. However, while optimisationrnroutines produce an analytical optimum, thisrnoften does not correlate well with arnmanufacturable optimum.rnBy utilising new methodologies andrntechniques to achieve the optimum design of arncomposite structure, FE analysis can be morernfully employed in the design process.rnInvestigation of cost effective and reliablernmethods for the optimisation and analysis ofrnthese structures and the detailed modellingrnaspects associated with the FE analysis of arncontrol surface are discussed. Discussionrnfocuses on the design of rib and spar reinforcedrncomposite control surfaces, but is not limited tornthese structures.rnThe outcome of this research was therninvestigation of many innovative FE analysisrntechniques to produce an optimum design.rnResults showed that by utilising some novel andrnsimple techniques it is possible to furtherrnimprove the design and optimisation process,rnsuch that the result is a shorter design cyclernand improved optimum. These techniques arernsimple to employ at the preliminary designrnstage, without complicating the design process.