Topological Design of a Lightweight Sandwich Aircraft Spoiler

Abstract

In this study, a lightweight sandwich aircraft spoiler (AS) with a high stiffness-to-weight ratio was designed. Excellent mechanical properties were achieved by the synthetic use of topology optimization (TO), lattice structure techniques, and high-performance materials, i.e., titanium alloy and aluminum alloy. TO was first utilized to optimize the traditional aircraft spoiler to search for the stiffest structure with a limited material volume, where titanium alloy and aluminum alloy were used for key joints and other parts of the AS, respectively. We then empirically replaced the fine features inside the optimized AS with 3D kagome lattices to support the shell, resulting in a lightweight sandwich AS. Numerical simulations were conducted to show that the designed sandwich AS exhibited good mechanical properties, e.g., high bending rigidity, with a reduction in weight by approximately 80% when compared with that of the initial design model. Finally, we fabricated the designed model with photosensitive resin using a 3D printing technique.

Revealing the Dynamic Characteristics of Composite Material-Based Miura-Origami Tube

“…This provides effective methods for designing lightweight structures with high stiffness and the desired natural frequency. The proposed Miura tube in the study has several benefits; for instance, it can be (1) applied to various engineering fields, such as the core layer of a sandwich material, energy-absorbing structures [ 9 , 10 , 11 ], and so on; (2) fabricated from inexpensive two-dimensional metal materials but possess outstanding dynamic properties [ 33 , 34 ]; and (3) used as the initial design domain of a topology optimization to further enhanced the desired mechanical properties [ 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 ]. However, we still have some works in progress, for instance, fabricating a carbon fiber/epoxy resin-based origami tube [ 62 , 63 , 64 ], conducting modal tests [ 33 ], and performing a structural optimization to further enhance the dynamic properties of the origami tube [ 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 ].…”

“…The proposed Miura tube in the study has several benefits; for instance, it can be (1) applied to various engineering fields, such as the core layer of a sandwich material, energy-absorbing structures [ 9 , 10 , 11 ], and so on; (2) fabricated from inexpensive two-dimensional metal materials but possess outstanding dynamic properties [ 33 , 34 ]; and (3) used as the initial design domain of a topology optimization to further enhanced the desired mechanical properties [ 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 ]. However, we still have some works in progress, for instance, fabricating a carbon fiber/epoxy resin-based origami tube [ 62 , 63 , 64 ], conducting modal tests [ 33 ], and performing a structural optimization to further enhance the dynamic properties of the origami tube [ 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 ]. These results will be published in another paper.…”

Design Procedure of a Topologically Optimized Scooter Frame Part

“…Internal lattice infill strengthens the structure with a minimal weight increase. As such, a tetrahedral lattice pattern was chosen [7]. There were also aesthetic viewports designed, through which the lattice structure inside can be seen (see Figure 3).…”

Efficient, high-resolution topology optimization method based on convolutional neural networks

“…As topology optimization approaches mature and gradually shift their application from mathematical theory to practical engineering [19][20][21], the desire for developing existing topological optimization methods to achieve the capacity for dealing with large-scale or highprecision structures increases. Typical large-scale objects include those in architecture and aerospace [19,22,23]. Bionic bones [24], convection radiators [25], and mechanical metamaterials [26] are examples of objects that require high-precision design.…”