Fuselage Structures within the CPACS Data Format

Kurzfassung

Purpose – This paper summarizes the main features of the CPACS fuselage structure description. Design/methodology/approach – The CPACS fuselage structure description includes the definition of arbitrary sheets and structural profiles which can be combined with a variety of material definitions to so-called structural elements. Besides the definition of these structural elements, the definitions of structural members, such as stringers, frames, floor structures and pressure bulkheads as well as the definitions of the complex load introduction regions that transfer loads from the wings and the empennage into the fuselage shell are introduced. Finally, exemplary models generated with different mesh generation tools developed at DLR Institute of Structures and Design are presented. These models are suitable for subsequent static or dynamic structural analyses. Findings – The CPACS fuselage structure description is suitable for defining standard fuselage configurations including complex load introduction regions suitable for different types of structural analysis. Practical implications – The work shows exemplary fuselage models generated from the introduced CPACS fuselage description suitable for subsequent static and dynamic structural analyses. As the CPACS standard is available for download the described definitions may be used by universities, research organizations or industry. Originality/value – The work presents the definitions of the fuselage structure within the CPACS schema that were mainly developed by the authors employed at the DLR Institute of Structures and Design. The exemplary applications show models generated completely on the basis of the definitions described in this paper.