PANDORA - A python based framework for modelling and structural sizing of transport aircraft

Abstract

Over the last years a multidisciplinary aircraft predesign process chain was established at the DLR, including different numerical tools for the modelling and structural sizing of fuselage structures. To improve the flexibility and performance of this structural analysis part in the MDO process a new tool development has been started in 2016 called "Parametric Numerical Design and Optimization Routines for Aircraft" (PANDORA). The PANDORA framework is using the interpreted high-level programming language Python and is focused on using dedicated open-source packages. Within PANDORA a lot of new packages have been implemented, like a new interface to access CPACS data, a python based FE pre- and postprocessor, a FE data converter to build an interface between PANDORA and different FE solver and a visualization interface using "The Visualization Toolkit" (VTK). Some further packages to generate a FE model based on a CPACS file using the geometry core "Open Cascade" (OCC) and a new FE sizing algorithm is also under development. To simplify the usage of PANDORA and to keep it comprehensible - a graphical user interface (GUI) has been added using the PYQT toolkit. In this paper the current state of the PANDORA development is presented and initial applications are shown.