Implementação de algoritmos evolutivos na otimização multidisciplinar de uma aeronave destinada à competição SAE aerodesign

Abstract

The design of competitive aircraft for the SAE Brasil AeroDesign competiton demands the coupling of numerous areas, aiming to maximize the flight score, which is directly related to the payload. Given the complexity and the time required of conventional design methods, one seeks through this work to develop a computational tool for the Multidisciplinary Design Optimization capable of automating the conceptual and preliminary project stages of radio-controlled aircraft. The methodology adopted was based on the implementation of evolutionary algorithms, using Differential Algorithm for the optimization of a high-lift airfoil and Genetic Algorithms for the global aircraft optimization. The tool is composed of Aerodynamics, Stability and Control, Performance and Structural modules. In order to verify the low fidelity aerodynamic models, comparisons with experimental data and computational fluid dynamics simulations were carried out. The optimization of the wing’s airfoil, which utilizes shape parameterization functions, resulted in a relevant increase in the maximum lift coefficient when compared to the baseline airfoil, keeping the geometric features that make the aircraft manufacturing feasible. Regarding the aircraft optimization, the algorithm converged to a mid wing and U-tail aircraft, showing the capacity to deal with trade-offs between structural weight, induced drag and stability requirements. The tool has proven to be robust when simulating takeoff and trim at different conditions, resulting in a project with a high payload to maximum takeoff weight ratio. One can conclude that the application of multidisciplinary optimization techniques offers distinguished advantages when it comes to reducing the design cycle and obtaining high-performance aircraft, validating the proposed methodology as an effective solution in the competition’s context.