Aeroelastic Sizing and Layout Design of a Wingbox Through Nested Optimization

摘要

The goals of this work are to 1) develop an optimization algorithm that can simultaneously handle a large number of sizing variables and topological layout variables for an aeroelastic wingbox optimization problem and 2) use this algorithm to ascertain the benefits of curvilinear wingbox components. The algorithm used here is a nested optimization, in which the outer level optimizes the rib and skin stiffener layouts with a surrogate-based optimizer, and the inner level sizes all of the components via gradient-based optimization. Two optimizations are performed: one restricted to straight rib and stiffener components only, and the other allowing curved members. A moderate 1.18% structural mass reduction is obtained through the use of curvilinear members. A global sensitivity analysis of the topology variables, with and without the effect of the nested sizing variables, is also presented.