Multi-Objective Design Optimization of Multiple Tuned Mass Dampers for Attenuation of Dynamic Aeroelastic Response of Aerospace Structures

Abstract

This paper proposes a design procedure to determine the optimal configuration of multi-degrees of freedom (MDOF) multiple tuned mass dampers (MTMD) to mitigate the global dynamic aeroelastic response of aerospace structures. The computation of the aerodynamic excitations is performed considering two models of atmospheric disturbances, namely, the Power Spectral Density (PSD) modelled with the Davenport Spectrum (DS) and the Tuned Discrete Gust (TDG) with the one-minus cosine profile. In order to determine the optimum sets of MTMD, a Multi-objective design Optimization considering Genetic Algorithm (MOGA) is implemented, where the selected fitness functions for the analysis are the minimization of the total mass of the resonators as well as the concurrent minimization of the peak displacements of a specified structural node in all translational degrees of freedom. A case study is presented to demonstrate the proposed methodology, where the optimal sets of MTMD are determined for the concurrent minimization of the pointing error of a truss-like antenna structure as well as the mass of the considered MTMD. It is found that the placement of the MTMD in the primary reflector of the antenna structure provided a maximum reduction in the pointing error of 62.0% and 39.2%, considering the PSD and the TDG models, respectively. Finally, this paper presents an advanced framework to estimate optimal parameters of MTMD control devices under convoluted loading cases as an initial step towards the use of such passive systems in applications that commonly employ active or semi-active solutions.

Passive-Tuned Mass Dampers for the Pointing Accuracy Mitigation of VLBI Earth-Based Antennae Subject to Aerodynamic Gust

“…For simplicity of solution, in this paper, the weights are set as unitary values, such that the trade-off between objectives is equally balanced. For more details, in terms of mathematical formulation and algorithm description, the reader is referred to the work of Gasparetto et al [38].…”

Aeroelasticity Model for Highly Flexible Aircraft Based on the Vortex Lattice Method

“…Many authors investigate ways to suppress these negative effects, in order to achieve good flight characteristics with a lighter structure [4][5][6][7][8][9]. Some authors focus on developing structural optimization methods, modifying the aircraft structure to have an acceptable aeroelastic response, while retaining a low weight [4,9].…”

“…Some authors focus on developing structural optimization methods, modifying the aircraft structure to have an acceptable aeroelastic response, while retaining a low weight [4,9]. Another proposed passive method of improving the aeroelastic response of the aircraft is to use optimized tuned mass dampers [5]. Most authors focus on active methods, using the control surfaces of the aircraft to suppress flutter and improve handling qualities [6][7][8].…”

“…Because of its accuracy and versatility, CFD is a commonly used tool in both aerospace and other disciplines [10][11][12][13][14]. However, because CFD is very computationally expensive, for aeroelastic analysis most authors use either an analytical aerodynamic model [8] or a vortex lattice method (VLM) or doublet lattice method (DLM)-based model [5]. VLM is more widely used for time-domain analysis, while DLM is most commonly used for frequency-domain analysis.…”

“…Traditionally, analytical structural models were used, today some authors choose this type of model when performing a fundamental analysis of a simple system. Currently, the most widely adopted approach is to use a finite element method (FEM) structural model [5,17,18]. FEM-based aeroelastic models are resource intensive, but provide accurate results and are relatively simple to set up.…”