Robust aeroelastic design of composite plate wings

Carl Scarth, Pia N. Sartor, Jonathan E. Cooper, Paul M. Weaver, Gustavo H C Silva

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

8 Citations (Scopus)
399 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

An approach is presented for the robust stacking sequence design of composite plate wings with uncertain ply orientations. An aeroelastic model is constructed using the Rayleigh-Ritz technique coupled with modified strip theory aerodynamics. Gaussian processes are used as emulators for the aeroelastic instability speed in order to efficiently quantify the effects of uncertainty. The critical instability speed is discontinuous as a result of the different potential instability mechanisms, therefore multiple Gaussian processes are fitted to ensure computational efficiency. An order of two magnitude reduction in model runs is achieved for the majority of examples, and an order of magnitude reduction is achieved when a switch between flutter modes occurs. The emulators are used to estimate the probability that instability occurs at a given design speed, which is minimized using a genetic algorithm. Results are compared to deterministic optima for maximal instability speed. Two lay-up strategies are undertaken, a first in which ply orientations are limited to 0°, ±45° and 90°, and a second in which values of ±30° and ±60° may also be taken. Improvements in reliability of at least 85% are achieved. The inclusion of ±30° and ±60° plies enables a 1.7% increase in the nominal instability speed, and an increase in reliability of at least 59%

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication17th AIAA Non-Deterministic Approaches Conference
PublisherAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc. (AIAA)
Number of pages13
ISBN (Electronic)9781624103476
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Jan 2015
Event17th AIAA Non-Deterministic Approaches Conference 2015 - Kissimmee, United States
Duration: 5 Jan 20159 Jan 2015

Conference

Conference17th AIAA Non-Deterministic Approaches Conference 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityKissimmee
Period5/01/159/01/15

Keywords

  • Computation theory
  • Computational efficiency
  • Gaussian distribution
  • Gaussian noise (electronic)
  • Genetic algorithms
  • Plates (structural components)
  • Speed
  • Stability Aeroelastic designs
  • Aeroelastic instabilities
  • Aeroelastic modeling
  • Gaussian Processes
  • Magnitude reduction
  • Ply orientation
  • Potential instability
  • Stacking sequence design
  • Aeroelasticity

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