MDO analysis of composite wing

Sometimes the level of structural complexity exceeds our ability to make design changes, especially in aerospace engineering, where a single design is performed by different teams, each one focusing on a different subject. It goes without saying that the final target of the different teams is the same, for example minimizing the structural weight. Multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) is exactly the field of engineering that uses optimization methods to solve design problems incorporating a number of disciplines. Design optimization is the process of generating improved design through the use of different algorithms. This process is performed by an optimizer, which, in order to achieve the best solution, uses the design sensitivity coefficients. The latter describe the rates of change of structural responses with respect to changes in design parameters. They usually represent beam cross section dimensions, shell thicknesses and so on. The present work is part of the Aeroelastic Tailoring project headed by Embraer S.A. The Aeroelasting Tailoring group involves more than ten International partners, whose aim is to develop a framework of processes and tools to navigate structural design drivers of an aircraft satisfying multiple physical requirements (structures, loads, flutter, and performance) and to provide insight on how new technologies may affect aircraft design with particular reference to composite materials. The project is focused on optimization, manufacturing and testing of a composite wing for an aircraft that can be representative for the assessment of Embraer Aeroelastic Tailoring framework. In this dissertation will be discussed the current state of the art of the several optimization techniques, focusing on different algorithms, such as the gradient-based and the genetic algorithm. Will be also presented the model of the current wing and the analysis simulations result obtained after the optimization.