Aeroelastic analysis and optimization of high-aspect-ratio composite forward-swept wings

In order to analyze the effects of forward-swept angle and skin ply-orientation on the static and dynamic aeroelastic characteristics, the aeroelastic modeling and calculation for high-aspect-ratio composite wings with different forward-swept angles and skin ply-orientation are performed. This paper presents the results of a design study aiming to optimize wings with typical forward-swept angles and skin ply-orientation in an aeroelastic way by using the genetic/sensitivity-based hybrid algorithm. Under the conditions of satiated multiple constraints including strength, displacements, divergence speeds and flutter speeds, the studies are carried out in a bid to minimize the structural weight of a wing with the lay-up thicknesses of wing components as design variables. In addition, the effects of the power of span-wise variation function of lay-up thicknesses of skins and lugs on the optimized weights are also analyzed.