Design and optimization of an aeroservoelastic wind tunnel model

Abstract

Combining passive and active load alleviation techniques, this paper presents the design, optimization, manufacturing and update of a flexible composite wind tunnel model. Starting from the specification of an adequate wing and trailing edge flap geometry, passive, static aeroelastic stiffness optimizations for various objective functions have been performed in a first step. The second optimization step comprised a discretization of the continuous stiffness distributions, resulting in manufacturable stacking sequences. In order to determine which of the objective functions investigated in the passive structural optimization complemented most efficiently with the projected active control schemes, the condensed modal finite element models were integrated in an aeroelastic model, involving a dedicated gust load alleviation controller. The most promising design was selected for manufacturing. Based on the dynamic identification of the model the finite element representation could be updated to conform to the measured eigenfrequencies. Eventually, a wind tunnel test campaign was conducted in November 2018, results of which are examined in separate reports.