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Dynamically-controlled variable-fidelity modelling for aircraft structural design optimisation

Allen, J.G.; Coates, G.; Trevelyan, J.

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Authors

J.G. Allen

G. Coates



Abstract

Structural mass optimisation of an aircraft design is important in increasing the likelihood that a high quality airframe is designed of minimal weight whilst providing necessary resistance to load. Analysis of such structures is often performed at a single level of model fidelity, the selection of which can lead to either excessive computational time or reduced accuracy of results. Alternatively, variable-fidelity modelling may be employed to reduce such computational expense whilst maintaining accuracy, traditionally performed using predetermined levels of fidelity for specific periods of the optimisation process. This paper investigates dynamically controlled variable-fidelity modelling during aircraft conceptual design optimisation wherein fidelity is controlled as a dynamic parameter of the optimisation process. Consequently, model fidelity is adapted during optimisation to promote early discovery of promising design characteristics prior to detailed analysis of the best designs available. Models are constructed through the grouping of similar structural members within elements, thus reducing the number of degrees of freedom and subsequent computational effort required for analysis of each design. A case study is performed to verify the results of analysis and obtain benchmark results for optimisation with static model fidelity prior to the investigation of various set-ups of dynamically controlled variablefidelity modelling. The results of this study indicate improved design quality using dynamically controlled variable-fidelity modelling compared to using static model fidelity whilst reducing the necessary computation time.

Citation

Allen, J., Coates, G., & Trevelyan, J. (2014). Dynamically-controlled variable-fidelity modelling for aircraft structural design optimisation. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 228(8), 1434-1449. https://doi.org/10.1177/0954410013493074

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jun 1, 2014
Deposit Date Jan 17, 2014
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Print ISSN 0954-4100
Electronic ISSN 2041-3025
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 228
Issue 8
Pages 1434-1449
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/0954410013493074
Keywords Aircraft conceptual design, Structural optimisation, Variable-fidelity modelling, Parameter control.

Files

Accepted Journal Article (998 Kb)
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Copyright Statement
Allen, J.G. and Coates, G. and Trevelyan, J. (2014) 'Dynamically-controlled variable-fidelity modelling for aircraft structural design optimisation.', Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G : journal of aerospace engineering., 228 (8). pp. 1434-1449. Copyright © IMechE 2013. Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications.




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