Knowledge-Based Engineering Approach to the Finite Element Analysis of Fuselage Structures

Master thesis (2014)

Authors

Contributors

R. Vos (mentor)
Programme
System Engineering and Aircraft Design (Aerospace Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2014 De Smedt, S.D.
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Published Date

18-12-2014

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Programme

System Engineering and Aircraft Design

Abstract

In this work a Knowledge-Based Engineering approach is presented for validating the results of a semi-analytical weight estimation method used for the conceptual design of conventional and oval fuselages structures. The validation of these results is carried out by comparing the structural component's line loads as calculated by the semi-analytical weight estimation method to those obtained from a finite element analysis of a complete oval fuselage structure. The Knowledge-Based Engineering approach is taken to overcome the time-consuming and repetitive tasks related to finite element analysis setup by parametrization of the fuselage geometry and automatic generation of an analysis-ready finite element model. The fuselage of a large passenger aircraft with limited cargo is used as an initial test-case which shows a strong correspondence of the line loads in the lateral/hoop direction and more significant differences in the longitudinal and shear directions.