Stiffness distribution and aeroelastic performance optimization of high-aspect-ratio wings

Based on aeroelastic optimization of global stiffness design for high-aspect-ratio wings, the relationship between stiffness distribution and aeroelastic performance for a beam-frame model and a 3-D model is studied. The sensitivity information of wing spanwise stiffness distribution with respect to the twist angle at wing tip, the vertical displacement at wing tip and the flutter speed is obtained based on sensitivity method for both models. Then the relationship between stiffness distribution and aeroelastic performance is summarized to guide the design procedure. By using the genetic/sensitivity-based hybrid algorithm, an optimized solution satisfying the strength, aeroelastic and manufacturing technology constraints is obtained. It is found that the summarized guidance is well consistent with the optimal solution, so it can provide valuable design advice with efficiency. The study also shows that the aeroelastic optimization based global stiffness design procedure can obtain the optimal solution under multiple constraints with high efficiency, thus having strong practicality in engineering.