Definition of a Comprehensive Loads Process in the DLR Project iLOADS

Kurzfassung

The determination of loads acting on the aircraft is one of the main tasks during aircraft development. The knowledge of loads is important for aircraft design, e.g. for the sizing of the airframe structure, and also for certification. The definition of realistic loads assumptions is important, as well as the generation of loads from simulation and experiment. DLR is involved in a large number of aircraft design activities, and operates a fleet of research aircraft; thus DLR requires in-depth expertise for the definition and the determination of relevant and crucial load cases. The aim of the project iLOADS is the development of an internal DLR loads process, comprising expertise from different DLR institutes. The goal of the process is to strengthen the assessment capabilities of DLR with respect to the influence of loads on new aircraft configurations, and to support certification capabilities for the DLR aircraft fleet. The loads process will be investigated towards the influence of different analysis approaches on aircraft structural design, and it will be subject to verification and validation on different air-craft configurations. The paper will give an overview of the background of the iLOADS project, as well as of the work performed in the project. The definition of the loads process as well as the implementations for different applications investigated in the project will be presented in more detail.