Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T22:34:44.716Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A conceptual wing-box weight estimation model for transport aircraft

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 January 2016

R. M. Ajaj ,
M. I. Friswell ,
D. Smith  and
A. T. Isikveren
R. M. Ajaj*
Affiliation:
College of Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
M. I. Friswell
Affiliation:
College of Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
D. Smith
Affiliation:
Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
A. T. Isikveren
Affiliation:
Bauhaus Luftfahrt e.V. Munich, Germany
*
[email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of an advanced, conceptual wing-box weight estimation and sizing model for transport aircraft. The model is based on linear thin-walled beam theory, where the wing-box is modelled as a simple, swept tapered multi-element beam. It consists of three coupled modules, namely sizing, aeroelastic analysis, and weight prediction. The sizing module performs generic wing-box sizing using a multi-element strategy. Three design cases are considered for each wing-box element. The aeroelastic analysis module accounts for static aeroelastic requirements and estimates their impact on the wing-box sizing. The weight prediction module estimates the wing-box weight based on the sizing process, including static aeroelastic requirements. The breakdown of the models into modules increases its flexibility for future enhancements to cover complex wing geometries and advanced aerospace materials. The model has been validated using five different transport aircraft. It has shown to be sufficiently robust, yielding an error bandwidth of ±3%, an average error estimate of -0·2%, and a standard error estimate of 1·5%.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 117 , Issue 1191 , May 2013 , pp. 533 - 551
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Raymer, D.P. Enhancing Aircraft Conceptual Design Using Multidisciplinary Optimization, Doctoral Thesis, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden, Report 2002-2, ISBN 91-7283-259-2, May 2002.Google Scholar
2. Bindolino, G., Ghiringhelli, G., Ricci, S. and Tarraneo, M. Multilevel structural optimization for preliminary wing-box weight estimation, J Aircraft, 47, (2), pp 475–489, March-April 2010.Google Scholar
3. Ardema, M.D., Chambers, M.C., Patron, A.P., Hahn, A.S., Miura, H. and Moore, M.D. Analytical Fuselage and Wing Weight Estimation of Transport Aircraft, NASA Technical Memorandum 110392, May 1996.Google Scholar
4. Howe, D. The prediction of aircraft wing mass, proceedings of the institution of mechanical engineering, Part G: J Aerospace Engineering, 1996, 210, pp 135–145.Google Scholar
5. Torenbeek, E. Development and Application of a Comprehensive, Design-sensitive Weight Prediction Model for Wing Structures of Transport Category Aircraft, Report LR-693, Delft University of Technology, September 1992.Google Scholar
6. Piperni, P., Abdo, M., Kafyeke, F. and Isikveren, A.T. Preliminary aero-structural optimization of a large business jet, J Aircr, September-October 2007, 44, (5), pp 1422–1438.Google Scholar
7. Kafyeke, F., Abdo, M., Pépin, F., Piperni, P. and Laurendeau, E. Challenges of Aircraft Design Integration, Reduction of Military Vehicle Acquisition Time and Cost Through Advanced Modeling and Virtual Product Simulation, NATO RTO, Applied Vehicle Technology (AVT) Symposium, MP-89-P-48, Paris, France, April 2002.Google Scholar
8. Viana, F.A.C. V.S., Jr, Butkewitsch, S. and Leal, M.F. Optimization of aircraft structural components by using nature-inspired algorithms and multi-fidelity approximations, J Global Optimization, 2009, 45, (3), pp 427–449.Google Scholar
9. Smith, D.D., Ajaj, R.M., Isikveren, A.T. and Friswell, M.I. Multidisciplinary Design Optimization of an Active Nonplanar Polymorphing Wing, 27th International Congress of the Aeronautical Sciences, ICAS, paper ICAS2010-1.5ST1, 2010.Google Scholar
10. Smith, D.D., Ajaj, R.M., Isikveren, A.T. and Friswell, M.I. Multi-objective optimization for the multiphase design of active polymorphing wings, J Aircr, July-August 2012, 49, (4), 1153–1160.Google Scholar
11. Kelm, R., Lapple, M. and Grabietz, M. Wing Primary Structure Weight Estimation of Transport Aircrafts in the Pre-Development Phase, 54th Annual Conference of SAWE, Huntsville, Alabama, USA, 22-24 May, SAWE 2283,1995.Google Scholar
12. Roskam, J. Airplane Design Part V: Component Weight Estimation, Design, Analysis and Research (DAR) Corporation, Kansas, USA, ISBN 1-884885-50-0, 2003.Google Scholar
13. Torenbeek, E. Synthesis of Subsonic Airplane Design, Delft University Press, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Appendix C. Prediction of Wing Structural Weight, 1982.Google Scholar
14. Melin, T. A Vortex Lattice MATLAB Implementation for Linear Aerodynamic Wing Applications, Master Thesis, Department of Aeronautics, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden, December 2000.Google Scholar
15. Melin, T. User’s Guide and Reference Manual for Tornado, Master Thesis, Department of Aeronautics, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden, 2000-12.Google Scholar
16. Melin, T., Isikveren, A.T. and Friswell, M.I. Induced-drag compressibility correction for three-dimensional vortex-lattice methods, J Aircraft, 47, (4), Engineering Notes, 2010.Google Scholar
17. Howe, D. Aircraft Loading and Structural Layout, AIAA Publications, 2004.Google Scholar
18. Ward, D., Strganac, W. and Niewoehner, R. Introduction to Flight Test Engineering, Volume II. Iowa, USA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 2007.Google Scholar
19. Niu, M.C.Y. Airframe Stress Analysis and Sizing, 2nd ed, Hong Kong Conmilit Press Ltd, Hong Kong, 1999.Google Scholar
20. Donaldson, B.K. Analysis of Aircraft Structures an Introduction, 2nd ed, Cambridge University Press, New York, USA, 2008.Google Scholar
21. Bisplinghoff, R.L., Ashley, H. and Halfman, R.L. Aeroelasticity, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1996.Google Scholar
22. Wright, J.R. and Cooper, J.E. Introduction to Aircraft Aeroelasticity and Loads, John Wiley & Sons, West Sussex, England, UK, 2007.Google Scholar