A generic tool for cost estimating in aircraft design

Abstract

A methodology to estimate the cost implications of design decisions by integrating cost as a design parameter at an early design stage is presented. The model is developed on a hierarchical basis, the manufacturing cost of aircraft fuselage panels being analysed in this paper. The manufacturing cost modelling is original and relies on a genetic-causal method where the drivers of each element of cost are identified relative to the process capability. The cost model is then extended to life cycle costing by computing the Direct Operating Cost as a function of acquisition cost and fuel burn, and coupled with a semiempirical numerical analysis using Engineering Sciences Data Unit reference data to model the structural integrity of the fuselage shell with regard to material failure and various modes of buckling. The main finding of the paper is that the traditional minimum weight condition is a dated and sub-optimal approach to airframe structural design.

A Super Simple Life-cycle Cost Estimation Model with Minimum Data Requirement

“…For instance, Shehab and Abdalla [29] presented a knowledge-based fuzzy system for product cost modelling in the design and development phase. Castagne, et al [30] expanded the work of Shehab and Abdalla [29] by proposing a hierarchical model to estimate the LCC of an aircraft frame. Laxman et al [31] illustrated a detailed LCC estimation for repairable systems using calculations in relation to reliability and maintainability aspects.…”

Design Guidelines for Supersonic Aircrafts in Civil Aviation

“…Therefore, the CERs that exist are either for subsonic aircrafts or are based on much more dated aircrafts which operated way below the desired economic efficiency. A much better approach would be that of Castagne et al (2008). In their paper, they proposed that in case of targeting for the minimum weight, if the direct operating cost is used as the target optimization variable, much more accurate estimations can be made that will not be restricted by dated empirical relations.…”

Probabilistic Manufacturing Tolerance Optimization of Damage-Tolerant Aircraft Structures Using Measured Data

“…Kundu et al [16] stressed the important role of costing in multidisciplinary aircraft design to arrive at a best-value design. Castagne et al [17] showed that effective design optimization can be achieved by linking manufacturing cost models with structural analysis models. Slack [18] proposed the value/worth of a product to a customer based on following: 1) the product's usefulness to a customer need, 2) the relative importance of a need being satisfied, 3) the availability of the product relative to when it is needed, and 4) the cost of ownership to the customer.…”