Preliminary Aero-Elastic Optimization of a Twin-Aisle Long-Haul Aircraft with Increased Aspect Ratio
This paper presents a preliminary study on the improvement of the fuel efficiency of a civil transport aircraft, focusing on the aero-elastic optimization of an increased aspect ratio wingbox. The wing is stretched, increasing its aspect ratio, and a trade-off between the improved aerodynamic effici...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Aerospace |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/10/4/374 |
| _version_ | 1797606847912345600 |
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| author | Francesco Toffol Sergio Ricci |
| author_facet | Francesco Toffol Sergio Ricci |
| author_sort | Francesco Toffol |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper presents a preliminary study on the improvement of the fuel efficiency of a civil transport aircraft, focusing on the aero-elastic optimization of an increased aspect ratio wingbox. The wing is stretched, increasing its aspect ratio, and a trade-off between the improved aerodynamic efficiency and the structural mass identifies an optimal aspect ratio for such aircraft. The aeroelastic optimization is performed with NeOPT, a structural optimizer for conceptual and preliminary design phases. The analysis considers different materials and structural solutions for the wingbox and tackles aeroelastic constraints, such as flutter and aileron efficiency, from the preliminary design phases. The fuel consumption of the sized aircraft is evaluated with a simplified approach that provides an indication of the fuel efficiency. The results show how a composite wing with increased aspect ratio can save up to 6.9% of fuel burnt with respect to the baseline aluminum wing. The results are extended at fleet level, achieving a 2-million-ton cut in CO<sub>2</sub> emissions and a saving of USD 1.28 million on fuel-related costs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:20:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4d8443f1d1f44bc28af43e774df1e252 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2226-4310 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:20:46Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aerospace |
| spelling | doaj.art-4d8443f1d1f44bc28af43e774df1e2522023-11-17T17:52:36ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102023-04-0110437410.3390/aerospace10040374Preliminary Aero-Elastic Optimization of a Twin-Aisle Long-Haul Aircraft with Increased Aspect RatioFrancesco Toffol0Sergio Ricci1Department of Aerospace Science and Technology, Politecnico di Milano, via la Masa 34, 20156 Milano, ItalyDepartment of Aerospace Science and Technology, Politecnico di Milano, via la Masa 34, 20156 Milano, ItalyThis paper presents a preliminary study on the improvement of the fuel efficiency of a civil transport aircraft, focusing on the aero-elastic optimization of an increased aspect ratio wingbox. The wing is stretched, increasing its aspect ratio, and a trade-off between the improved aerodynamic efficiency and the structural mass identifies an optimal aspect ratio for such aircraft. The aeroelastic optimization is performed with NeOPT, a structural optimizer for conceptual and preliminary design phases. The analysis considers different materials and structural solutions for the wingbox and tackles aeroelastic constraints, such as flutter and aileron efficiency, from the preliminary design phases. The fuel consumption of the sized aircraft is evaluated with a simplified approach that provides an indication of the fuel efficiency. The results show how a composite wing with increased aspect ratio can save up to 6.9% of fuel burnt with respect to the baseline aluminum wing. The results are extended at fleet level, achieving a 2-million-ton cut in CO<sub>2</sub> emissions and a saving of USD 1.28 million on fuel-related costs.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/10/4/374preliminary designaeroelastic optimizationfuel consumption minimizationemission assessment |
| spellingShingle | Francesco Toffol Sergio Ricci Preliminary Aero-Elastic Optimization of a Twin-Aisle Long-Haul Aircraft with Increased Aspect Ratio Aerospace preliminary design aeroelastic optimization fuel consumption minimization emission assessment |
| title | Preliminary Aero-Elastic Optimization of a Twin-Aisle Long-Haul Aircraft with Increased Aspect Ratio |
| title_full | Preliminary Aero-Elastic Optimization of a Twin-Aisle Long-Haul Aircraft with Increased Aspect Ratio |
| title_fullStr | Preliminary Aero-Elastic Optimization of a Twin-Aisle Long-Haul Aircraft with Increased Aspect Ratio |
| title_full_unstemmed | Preliminary Aero-Elastic Optimization of a Twin-Aisle Long-Haul Aircraft with Increased Aspect Ratio |
| title_short | Preliminary Aero-Elastic Optimization of a Twin-Aisle Long-Haul Aircraft with Increased Aspect Ratio |
| title_sort | preliminary aero elastic optimization of a twin aisle long haul aircraft with increased aspect ratio |
| topic | preliminary design aeroelastic optimization fuel consumption minimization emission assessment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/10/4/374 |
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