Structural Optimization Of
Conceptual Aerospace Vehicles
Author(s)
G. A. Hrinda
Abstract
Aerospace vehicle structures must be optimized for mass to maximize the
mission payload. During the conceptual design phase, structures must be
optimized to accurately predict the mass of the design. Analysis methods that are
used in sizing members should allow for the selection of a variety of metallic and
composite materials and user-defined geometry constraints. Rapid vehicle
structural analysis is often necessary to improve the fidelity and the results that
are obtained during the preliminary design. Recent experiences are highlighted
that utilize the Collier Research Corporation’s Hypersizer® toolset to optimize
structural concepts.
Keywords: finite-element analysis, optimization, conceptual design, composites.
1 Introduction
NASA’s retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2010 and the goals for advancing
human space exploration have led to many opportunities for designing new
spacecraft structures [1]. The ability to carry a mission forward by developing
credible structural estimates in a short design cycle has become vital to mission
planners. Traditional methods of analysis that use detailed finite-element models
(FEM) can and have delayed concept development; thus, the search for tools that
can quickly size structures has increased. Analysis methods must emphasize
structural components that define major load paths and major weight
contributors.
A structural tool also should easily define the best materials that lead to a
lightweight design. This includes simultaneously choosing the optimizing
geometry and matching it to a metallic or composite material. The ease with
which a tool can perform an optimization will impact the quality of the structural
design that is provided to mission planners.
Keywords
finite-element analysis, optimization, conceptual design, composites.
Related Book
Other papers in this volume
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