Minimize the aerodynamic effect of a strut on the wing
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Program
Mobility engineering (MPMOB), MSc
Publicerad
2023
Författare
Santor Blair, Andres Felipe
Utku, Mert
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
The field of aircraft design is continuously advancing through the utilization of scientific techniques and empirical methods. The incorporation of computational methods has facilitated the design process of new and complex aircraft, enabling
more efficient conceptual design and optimization. These advancements have the potential to significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions, making a positive impact on the environment, a critical global concern. The development of
battery-electric airplanes represents a significant step towards creating a more sustainable aviation sector. Among the various emerging concepts, the Strut-Braced Wing (SBW) has shown great promise in enhancing aerodynamic efficiency while reducing wing weight.
However, the implementation of new concepts and technologies also presents new challenges and limitations that must be addressed, particularly the impact of aerodynamics on the aircraft’s range, which can impose limitations on its maximum
travel distance. The primary objective of this thesis is to minimize the aerodynamiceffects of a strut and wing configuration by reducing total drag and increasing the Oswald efficiency of the Strut-Braced Wing during the conceptual design phase.
To achieve this goal, Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) optimization algorithms are employed, utilizing low-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods. The airfoil data utilized in the study
is obtained from the XFOIL tool, which provides important viscous aerodynamic characteristics.
By implementing these methodologies, it is anticipated that the aerodynamic performance of the Strut-Braced Wing configuration can be optimized, leading to improved efficiency and weight reduction. The results obtained from this research will contribute to the advancement of aircraft design and promote the development of more environmentally friendly and efficient aircraft during the conceptual design phase.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
SBW , CFD , aerodynamics , optimization , SLSQP , SGA , VLM , weight estimation