Integrated Sizing and Optimization of Hybrid Wing Body Aircraft in Conceptual Design

Abstract

The hybrid wing body (HWB) configuration is a paradigm shift in commercial transport aircraft design in terms of environmentally responsible characteristics and significant performance improvements over the conventional tube-and-wing configuration. However, the sizing methods and analysis tools used in conceptual design of tube-and-wing aircraft are not fully compatible with HWB due to the highly integrated fuselage and wing. This paper proposes a novel approach to perform parametric sizing and optimization of HWB aircraft at the conceptual design phase, and develops an interdisciplinary design framework which integrates preliminary aerodynamic analysis, weight estimation, propulsion system sizing, and mission analysis. Enabled by the techniques of Design of Experiments and surrogate modeling, a design space exploration is conducted over the top-level aircraft design variables, including sensitivity assessment, feasible design space identification, and constrained multi-objective optimization. The impact of uncertainties in disciplinary analyses and novel technologies on aircraft-level performance is investigated through an uncertainty analysis.

Subsonic installed Jet noise scattering prediction using BEM and near-field-data-optimized Wave-Packet model

“…Projecting the research to the mid-and long-term future, groundbreaking solutions are also being developed, aiming at overcoming the saturation trend in noise reduction that characterizes mature technologies. Innovative configurations such as Blended and Hybrid Wing Body (BWB and HWB) aircraft are probably the most promising alternative to the well-known tube-and-wing configuration in terms of aerodynamic efficiency and community noise reduction [13][14][15][16]. The most popular interpretation of these innovative configurations involves the upper installation of the propulsion system on top of the large center body surface, offering interesting acoustic shielding capability to be exploited for engine-related community noise reduction [12,17,18].…”

Data-Driven Multiobjective Optimization of Wave-Packets for Near-Field Subsonic Jet Noise

“…Innovative configurations are being studied to avoid technological saturation in the race for aviation noise abatement. Blended and Hybrid Wing Body (BWB) aircraft is probably the most promising alternative to the currently dominating tube-and-wing configuration, both in terms of efficiency and community noise reduction [9][10][11][12]. The main characteristic of a BWB is the non-net distinction between the fuselage occupying the center body and wings, with the former being wider and shaped like an airfoil to provide a non-negligible contribution to the overall lift, resulting in a sensible efficiency increase.…”