Aeroelastic Optimization Design of the Global Stiffness for a Joined Wing Aircraft

Due to the complexity and particularity of the joined wing layout, traditional design methods for the global stiffness of a high-aspect wing are not applicable for a joined wing. Herein, a beam-frame model and a three-dimensional wing-box model are built to solve the global stiffness aeroelastic optimization design problem for a joined wing. The goal is to minimize the weight, and the constraints are the overall aeroelastic requirements. Based on a genetic algorithm, two methods for the beam-frame model and one method for the three-dimensional model are used for comparative analysis. The results show that the optimization method for a diagonal beam section and the optimization method for an exponential/linear combination function fit are adequate for optimizing and designating the joined wing global stiffness. The distributions obtained using the two methods have good consistency and are similar to the distribution of the three-dimensional model. The stiffness distribution data and the beam section parameters can be converted from each other, which is convenient for redesigning the structure parameters using the stiffness distribution data, and is valuable for engineering applications.

Seismic Performances of SRC Special-Shaped Columns and RC Beam Joints Under Double-Direction Low-Cyclic Reversed Loading

Steel-reinforced concrete (SRC) special-shaped column and beam frame structure is a special structural form that can meet the requirements of high bearing capacity and satisfy the esthetic requirement of buildings. In this study, a new joint design approach is adopted to focus on the seismic behavior of SRC special-shaped column and reinforced concrete (RC) beam joints under low-cyclic double-directional reactions through pseudo-static tests with a controlled stirrup distance. The joints of SRC specimens were compared with those of RC specimens by controlling the area of steel and reinforcement, and hysteresis cycle skeleton curves and load and strain hysteresis cycles were analyzed. The specimen with profiled steel was found to have better energy dissipation capacity. The energy dissipation capacity and stiffness degradation of the nodes were analyzed. The test results showed that the energy dissipation capacity of the SRC joints was better than that of the conventional concrete column joints, and the stiffness degradation of RC joints was more significant than that of SRC joints.

General non-uniform quadrilateral cross-sections for thin-walled FG sandwich beams

The paper aims at introducing an analysis of thin-walled functionally graded sandwich beams for general non-uniform quadrilateral cross-sections. Generally, the materials are assumed to be graded through the thickness following a predefined shape while Poisson's ratio kept as a constant due to its less domination. The cross-section linearly varies from one end to another end of the beam. In order to relax the difficulties in modeling as well as capturing the behaviors of thin-walled functionally graded beams, a higher-order approach has been applied including warping, coupling distortions as well as Poisson's distortion. A multi-separated beam on each edge of the cross-section which is an application of the so-called beam-frame-modal method is adopted. Subsequently, the effects of these major importance along with anisotropy of materials are then fully considered. As a consequence, the analysis is able to extensively applied to closed-section beam-shells with different curvatures. In order to illustrate the accuracy and computational efficiency of the method, various examples have been conducted in which the results obtained from finite element package as ABAQUS are employed. Keywords: quadrilateral cross-section; thin-walled FG beam; higher-order coupling; beam frame modal.

Free and Forced Wave Vibration Analysis of a Timoshenko Beam/Frame Carrying a Two-Degree-of-Freedom Spring-Mass System

In this paper, free and forced vibrations of a transversely vibrating Timoshenko beam/frame carrying a discrete two-degree-of-freedom spring-mass system are analyzed using the wave vibration approach, in which vibrations are described as waves that propagate along uniform structural elements and are reflected and transmitted at structural discontinuities. From the wave vibration standpoint, external excitations applied to a structure have the effect of injecting vibration waves to the structure. In the combined beam/frame and two-degree-of-freedom spring-mass system, the vibrating discrete spring-mass system injects waves into the distributed beam/frame through the spring forces at the two spring attached points. Assembling the propagation, reflection, transmission, and external force injected wave relations in the beam/frame provides an analytical solution to vibrations of the combined system. In this study, the effects of rotary inertia and shear deformation on bending vibrations are taken into account, which is important when the combined structure involves short beam element or when higher frequency modes are of interest. Numerical examples are given, with comparisons to available results based on classical vibration theories. The wave vibration approach is seen to provide a systematic and concise solution to both free and forced vibration problems in hybrid distributed and discrete systems.

Experimental and Theoretical Investigations on Progressive Collapse Resistance of the Concrete-Filled Square Steel Tubular Column and Steel Beam Frame under the Middle Column Failure Scenario

A static loading test was carried out on a 1/3-scale concrete-filled square steel tubular column-steel beam frame (CFSTSBF) specimen with 2 spans to study its progressive collapse behaviors under the middle column failure scenario using the alternate load path method and to examine the failure mode and load transfer and main resistance mechanisms of the residual structure. Then, theoretical models of the specimen, involving the whole collapse process, were developed, and the resistance and deformation relationships of each model were calculated and validated with test results. The results indicated that the specimen collapse process includes the elastoplastic stage, plastic stage, transfer stage, and catenary stage, the beam mechanism and catenary mechanism were the principal mechanisms for the structure against progressive collapse, and catenary action can significantly strengthen structural resistance. The modified theoretical models with higher practical accuracy could be used to assess structural performances against progressive collapse.

Metaheuristic Approaches to Solve a Complex Aircraft Performance Optimization Problem

The increasing demands for travelling comfort and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions have been considered substantially in the stage of conceptual aircraft design. However, the design of a modern aircraft is a multidisciplinary process, which requires the coordination of information from several specific disciplines, such as structures, aerodynamics, control, etc. To address this problem with adequate accuracy, the multidisciplinary analysis and optimization (MAO) method is usually applied as a systematic and robust approach to solve such complex design issues arising from industries. Since MAO method is tedious and computationally expensive, genetic programming (GP)-based metamodeling techniques incorporating MAO are proposed as an effective approach to minimize the wing stiffness of a large aircraft subject to aerodynamic, aeroelastic and stability constraints in the conceptual design phase. Based on the linear small-disturbance theory, the state-space equation is employed for stability analysis. In the process of multidisciplinary analysis, aeroelastic response simulations are performed using Nastran. To construct metamodels representing the responses of the interests with high accuracy as well as less computational burden, optimal Latin hypercube design of experiments (DoE) is applied to determine the optimized distribution of sampling points. Following that, parametric optimization is carried out on metamodels to obtain the optimal wing geometry shape, elastic axis positions and stiffness distribution, and then the solution is verified by finite element simulations. Finally, the superiority of the GP-based metamodel technique over genetic algorithm is demonstrated by multidisciplinary design optimization of a representative beam-frame wing structure in terms of accuracy and efficiency. The results also show that GP metamodel-based strategy for solving MAO problems can provide valuable insights to tailoring parameters for the effective design of a large aircraft in the conceptual phase.