This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Optimization of Aircraft Structures using STARSTRUC
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to present a structural optimization tool that can be applied to many aircraft components. In the aircraft industry, there has been strong interest in this area because of the need of constantly enhancing structural and flight performance. However, structural optimization is not yet fully utilized as it should be. This may be attributed to the unfamiliarity of this method to the average engineer, among other reasons.
Structural optimization represents a new and fresh approach to engineering design. STARSTRUC is a new generation, large scale software system that provides for structural optimization during the design process. It is based on the finite element method of analysis. It can provide significant improvements in the structural weight. Structural design constraints include limitations on stresses, deflections, frequencies of vibration, and buckling load factors. These constraints can be applied simultaneously to produce a single design. The design variables in STARSTRUC are the element sizes (i.e. thicknesses, and areas).
Typical aircraft components are presented that demonstrate the important features of the structural optimization system such as large size models, multiple constraints, large number of design variables, load combinations, and the effect of the initial design variables on the final solution.
Authors
Citation
Elsaie, A., Klindera, B., Love, M., and Rogers, W., "Optimization of Aircraft Structures using STARSTRUC," SAE Technical Paper 871049, 1987, https://doi.org/10.4271/871049.Also In
References
- Michell, A.G.M. “The Limits of Economy of Material in Frame Structures” Philosophical Magazine 8 47 Nov. 1904 589 596
- Cox, H.L. Smith, H.E. “Structures of Minimum Weight” A eronautical Research Committee, Reports and Memoranda No. 1923 1943
- Kuhn, H.W. Tucker, A.W. “Non Linear Programming” Proceedings of the 2nd Berkeley Symposium on Mathematics Statistics, and Probability Berkeley University of California Press 1951
- Prager, W. Taylor, J.E. “Problems of Optimal Structural Design,” J. of Applied Mech. March 1968 23 27
- Prager, W. Shield, R.T. “Optimal Design of Multi-purpose Structures” Int. J. Mech. SC 12 1970 705 709
- Venkayya, V.B. Knot, N.S. Reddy, V.S. “Energy Distribution of Optimum Structural Design” A FFDL-TR-68-156.
- Venkayya, V.B. “Design of Optimum Structures,” Computers and Structures” 1 1971 265 309
- Venkayya, V.B. Knot, N.1S. Berke, L. “Application of Optimality Criteria Approaches to Automated Design of Large Practical Structures” A GARD Conf. 1974 3.1 3.19
- Schmit, L.A. “Structural Design by Systematic Synthesis” Proc, 2nd Conference on Electronic Computation ASCE New York 1960 105 122
- Fleury, C. “A Unified Approach to Structural Weight Minimization” Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering 20 1979 17 38
- Ashley, H. “On Making Things the Best Aeronautical Uses of Optimization” A IAA Aircraft Systems and Technology Conference August 1981 Dayton, Ohio 1 32
- Lynch, R.W. Rogers, W.A. Braymen “An Integrated Capability for the Preliminary Design of Aeroelastically Tailored Wings” AIAA 1976 Aircraft Systems and Technolog y Meeting Dallas, TX Sept. 1976
- Lynch, R.W. Rogers, W.A. “Aeroelastic Tailoring of Composite Materials to improve Performance” A IAA/ASME King of Prussia, PA May 1976
- Rogers, W.A. Braymen, W.W. Shirk, M.H. “Design. Analysis and Model Tests of an Aeroelastically Tailored Lifting Surface” A IAA Aircraft Systems and Technology Conference Dayton, OH August 1981
- Stroud, W.J. Greene, W.H. Anderson, M.S. Current Research on Shear Buckling and Thermal Loads with PASCO: Panel Analysis and Sizing Code” Proc. Int. Symposium on Optimum Structural Design University of Arizona Tucson. Arizona Oct. 1981 12.47 12.58
- Bushnell, D. “PANDA - Interactive Computer Program for Preliminary Minimum Weight Design of Composite of Elastic-Plastic Stiffened Cylindrican Panels and Shells Under Combined Inplane Loads” Proc. Int. Symposium on Optimum Structural Design University of Arizona Tucson. Arizona Oct. 1981 12.59 12.72
- Lecina, M.G. Petian “Optimization of Aircraft Structure” Foundation of Structural Optimization: A Unified Approach Morris AmM. John Wiley & Sons 1982 451 483
- Optimization in Computer-Aided Design Gero, J.S. Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. Amsterdam. The Netherlands 1985 150
- Elsaie, A.M. Gatchel, S. Tabarrok, B. Fenton, R.G. “STARSTRUC: Structural Optimization Software System and its Application” S eventh Symposium on Engineering Applications of Mechanics University of Toronto June 1984 209 2
- Elsaie, A.M. “STARSTRUC: Structural Optimization Program for Large System 1986 ASME Int. Computers in Eng. Conf. and Exh. CED 1 July 1986 11 17
- Tabak, E.I. Wright, P.M. “Optimality Criteria Method for Building Frames” Proc. of ASCE, Journal of Struc. Div. S T7 July 1971 1327 1342
- Oluyomi, M.A. “Generalization of the Energy Criteria for Structural Optimization by the Finite Element Method” Ph.D Dissertation University of Toronto 1977
- Timoshenko, S.P. Gere, J.M. Theory Elastic Stability Second McGraw-Hill Book Co. 1961
- Taylor, J.E. Liu, C.Y. “Optimal Design of Columns” AIAA Journal 1968 1497 1502
- Haug, E.J. Arora, J.S. Applied Optimum Design John Wiley & Sons 304 309 1979
- Elsaie, A.M. “ STARSTRUC User Guide - Version 2.0 ” April 1985