Advancing Clean Aviation: Aero-Structural Optimization Techniques for Next-Generation Aircraft Wings

Driven by the stringent sustainability goal of reducing in-flight emissions, next-generation aircraft are adopting innovative wing concepts to advance clean aviation. A key enabler of this net-zero transition in aircraft wing design is the use of high-aspect-ratio wings in combination with lightweight composite materials to enhance aerodynamic efficiency and reduce structural weight. This is particularly crucial for the development of electric aircraft, where Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) systems are integrated into the wings to power the aircraft. However, thinner wings with a high-aspect-ratio experience large deformations, making them more susceptible to aeroelastic instabilities, such as wing flutter. Additionally, propeller whirl flutter, another dynamic instability associated with DEP systems, poses further challenges in electric aircraft wing design.
To address these challenges, we are dedicated to developing advanced aero-structural optimization techniques for the preliminary design of aircraft wings. In this seminar, we will explore how to reduce wing weight by aero-elastically tailoring composite wing structures while incorporating manufacturability constraints. We will also demonstrate the importance of considering whirl flutter effects in the design of electric aircraft wings. Furthermore, we will discuss the potential of shape and topology optimization methods for enhancing the design of next-generation aircraft wings.