Numerical Study of Structures for a Next-Generation Supersonic Transport

Because of the increasing requirement for frequent international traveling, developing a new generation of supersonic transport is critical for commercial aviation. The typical features of supersonic transport are a large swept-back wing and thin airfoil, potentially causing excessive tip deflection and triggering aeroelastic divergence. Hence, conducting evaluation, analysis, and optimization of the structures of an SST is essential. This study applied the finite element method to investigate the wing and fuselage structures under aerodynamic loads during cruise for a next-generation supersonic transport aircraft. Deformations and stress contributions were analyzed, showing the feasibility of the structure design and the stress concentration zones requiring reinforcement in the detailed design. Structural optimizations were also conducted, yielding significant weight reduction.