Preliminary Structural Design - Defining the Design Space

A series of studies were performed to evaluate the application of finite element-based analysis and optimization methods to the preliminary design of lightweight, aerospace structures. Either the internal structural arrangement or the structural materials were used as the design variables in each concept study. The concepts considered ranged from truss structures such as a helicopter tail-boom or complex space truss to a series of semi-monocoque lifting surfaces. Both static and dynamic constraints were used in the design of these concepts. Multidisciplinary optimization and analysis procedures were used to develop detailed information from finite element models for each structural concept. From this detailed design data neural network representations of the design space were developed for the particular problem. The neural networks were then coupled with either simulated annealing or numerical search optimization techniques to identify improved design concepts.