Optimum Design of UAV Wing Skin Structure with a High Aspect Ratio Using Variable Laminate Stiffness

Abstract

This paper quickly calculated the design variables to satisfy the strength and stability conditions, the dominant design verification conditions of the composite wing structure, through a genetic algorithm. It developed a variable stiffness stacking optimization process applicable to aircraft wing structure design. We proposed a laminate parameter-based optimization strategy that considers the stiffness characteristics of the two-dimensional elements used as design variables. Compared with the optimization results obtained using continuous stiffness optimization as an optimization process function of laminate sequences with genetic algorithms, we obtained a reasonable stiffness distribution while complying with critical guidelines related to individual composite layup designs. The results of the stiffness optimization design were implemented as a finite element model, and the results were verified through NASTRAN. We demonstrated the functionality of the stiffness optimization process by obtaining results satisfying the set response conditions, i.e., strength and stability, in many design areas of the wing.

Keywords

• slender wing
• genetic algorithm
• variable stiffness
• composite structure
• high aspect ratio
• optimization