Aircraft rudder optimization - A multi-level and knowledge-enabled approach

In the AGILE project, advanced technologies for optimization, multi-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge-enabled engineering are developed and applied to conceptual and preliminary aircraft design in various representative use cases of some conventional and unconventional configurations (like strut-braced wing, box-wing and blended-wing). This paper describes the application of a multi-level optimization (MLO) strategy based on analytical target cascading (ATC) to aircraft rudder design. As a reference a traditional nested optimization method is applied as well. Both methods arrive at the same design optima. In the case of ATC the amount of interaction between the global and the local level is reduced. The MLO is illustrated by applying surrogate models that were derived from aircraft and rudder design analysis competences available from AGILE. The surrogate models are deployed through a specific repository that facilitates a knowledge-enabled approach. The rudder design case illustrates that applying MLO provides insight into the coupled design problem both for the OEM and for the supplier. Development time is reduced by minimizing the number of interaction events, providing a common understanding of the design problem, establishing interfaces in the design process and therefore reducing the risk of late changes