CST PARAMETRIZATION FOR UNCONVENTIONAL AIRCRAFT DESIGN OPTIMIZATION

Kurzfassung

This paper introduces an approach to enhance the predesign stage for unconventional aircraft configurations. When prior knowledge is not available, a novel design space has to be explored thoroughly and higher fidelity analysis codes may be employed. A promising recently introduced shape parametrization technique is implemented for the development of a model generator, which is integrated in a multidisciplinary design and optimization (MDO) environment for the predesign of the blended wing body (BWB) aircraft. The generated model is analyzed with DLR in-house disciplinary tools, coupled by means of DLR’s CPACS interface. At this stage the methodology is demonstrated by considering only aerodynamics and structural design aspects. The parametrization is used to drive a combined shape and sizing optimization problem. Preliminary results are presented, showing the potentials of the approach.