Virtual proving ground for aircraft structures

Abstract

This paper presents an approach to development of complexes and programs of virtual experimental investigation in order to reduce full-scale testing in the design process of new products via state-of-the-art computer simulation techniques. Generally Virtual Proving Ground (VPG) is to be understood as integrating system for modeling strategies, solver settings, modules of automatic post-processing and load cases that match typical airplane tests and operating conditions. In the VPG environment has been developed a set Virtual Test Beds corresponding to tasks from various technical areas: ● VTB «Static structural strength» for virtual static strength tests to determine the stress-strain state of the structure and identify potentially critical places; ● VTB «Fatigue» for estimating fatigue life under the influence of a multi-cycle load; ● VTB «Durability» for simulating crack growth in the most critical places based on VTB «Fatigue» and «Static structural strength» data; ● VTB «Birdstrike» for simulating tests of bird collisions with aircraft panels; ● VTB «Hailstrike» for simulating tests of hailstones collisions with aircraft panels; ● VTB «Aerodynamics» for determining the aerodynamic characteristics of an aircraft. Preliminary estimation of structure is possible due to automatic post-processing module: visualization of virtual testing, documentation of results (graphs, pictures, key values) and union of all experimental data into a presentation. The application of presented approach is described on example of stringer panel of a real airplane.

Design optimization of aircraft structures using virtual proving ground

“…In recent years, more and more attention has been paid to the development of virtual testing methods [2][3][4][5]. This fact underlines the relevance of the topic presented in the article.…”

“…This fact underlines the relevance of the topic presented in the article. In this paper, the application of optimization methods using Virtual Proving Ground (VPG) [5] is presented on the example of the airplane structural layout. A modular digital twin of the aircraft was created and tested.…”