Geometrically nonlinear aerostructural optimization for highly flexible wings

As new airframe technologies and improved computational design tools allow for the aspect-ratio of aircraft wings to grow, the ability to model geometrically nonlinear aeroelastic behavior is increasingly critical. However, to date, this has only been possible with low fidelity tools. In this work we present examples of structural and aerostructural optimization using high-fidelity RANS CFD and geometrically nonlinear shell finite element models. This was a talk at the 2021 AIAA SciTech Forum, you can find the original and preprint versions of the corresponding conference paper at the links below: Original: doi.org/10.2514/6.2021-0283 Primary Author Profile: mdolab.engin.umich.edu/staff_members/acgray.html