The truss-braced wing is an aircraft configuration that has the potential to be more efficient than conventional configurations. The coupling between aerodynamics, structures, and propulsion that is present in this configuration significantly increases the complexity of the design, but it offers the potential for a large improvement in performance over the cantilever wing, which we aim to achieve through numerical optimization in this study. Previous studies have primarily used low-fidelity tools that rely on empirical equations or low-order models. Here, we perform high-fidelity aerodynamic shape optimization using the RANS equations with 750 shape and twist design variables. Through optimization, we are able to reduce the drag by more than 28% compared to the baseline geometry, obtaining a final L/D ratio of 25.3, which is a lower than expected value due to high interference drag caused by limited shape design flexibility in the junctions. Despite the limitations, we believe that these results can provide a useful benchmark for future studies involving the truss-braced wing configuration, in addition to revealing insights regarding the complex aerodynamic phenomena associated with this configuration.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.