Design Optimization and Sensitivity Analysis of an Aircraft Wing Using ASTROS

Optimization methods, such as ASTROS (Automated STRuctural Optimization System), can be powerful tools for sizing, weight optimization, and design sensitivity analysis. ASTROS is used in this study of an aluminum aircraft wing to initially size the skin panels, stringers, spar caps, and rib webs based on stress constraints, and to quantify the weight impact of fatigue life based on tension stress limits. Discussions will include: Definition of the constraints; Evaluation of the results; How to determine if your result is a local or a global minimum; and Optimizing the design for manufacturability.