MODELLING AND SIMULATION FOR INNOVATIVE AERONAUTIC DEVELOPMENTS

Radical innovations are necessary to achieve the long-term goals of global aviation on green- house gas reductions. Many innovative technologies are already being investigated. The cor- rect implementation of these innovative technologies is only possible if accurate prediction of their implications can be made. For that purpose, advanced modelling, simulation and opti- mization methodologies are indispensable. Three different examples of these methodologies will be presented in this paper, including some illustrative applications. One example deals with the use of advanced 3D finite element method (FEM) modelling for prediction of relevant electro-magnetic (EM) phenomena like induction. Such EM simulation supports induction welding (IW) processes which can be used in the innovative assembly of thermo-plastic (TP) carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite components. A second example looks at the optimized 3D placement of electric components in dedicated compartments on hybrid- electric propulsion aircraft concepts. Fundamental methodologies for computational geome- try and graph-based routing modelling can be used to efficiently address such problems. A third example looks at the design and optimization of advanced flaps on large passenger air- craft. Different disciplines like structural design, manufacturing- and cost modelling and per- formance prediction are needed in such optimizations. The relatively complex multi- disciplinary model that results from this, can be efficiently evaluated, assessed and optimized using surrogate-based optimization approaches. The 3 examples illustrate how novel aircraft technologies are supported by increasingly digitalized methods, tools and models.