Shape Optimization of Wing Structures with Aeroelastic Constraints

A strategy is presented to optimize wing structures under static aeroelastic constraints with respect to parameters defining wing shape and structural layout. The aerodynamic and structural models are based on one common parameterized geometry description. While the aerodynamic model includes the description of the three dimensional surface geometry, the structural model description is based on the Finite Element Method and includes a detailed wing layout concept with arbitrarily oriented spars and ribs. The aeroelastic toolkit ZAERO employs the modal formulation for solving the trim problem of the flexible aircraft and calculates the loads for selected trim cases. The optimization framework is integrated in the design system iSIGHT which finds the optimal wing planform under given mass and aeroelastic constraints. In two design studies the wing sweep and aspect ratio are varied and the convergence performance of the framework is shown