Multifunctional structures are crucial for achieving least‐weight and performance missions in designing contemporary complex systems. Especially in the aerospace industry, integration of several subsystems into an existing structural assembly can lead to significant mass and volume reduction, which subsequently improves measures such as range, speed, and fuel efficiency of air transportation vehicles. It is important then to underline the advantages of multifunctional structures and showcase their successful applications. Computational design and optimization tools are vital for the development of multifunctional structures, enabling the delivery of the intended functionalities while remaining competitive with conventional designs. Topology optimization in particular has grown tremendously to become a standard tool in early design stages due to offering indispensable insights about the load paths forming in the structure. In addition to an overview of multifunctional structures and computational design optimization techniques applicable, this chapter highlights practical cases by presenting the design of a novel shimmy damper mechanism for aircraft nose landing gears. The concept of this shimmy damper is briefly explained, and the design optimization framework is described along with the outcome of that procedure. The novel design enables integration of the vibration dampening mechanism into the torque links system, resulting in a multifunctional system retrofittable to existing nose landing gears while avoiding any asymmetry in the load and mass distribution. The re‐imagination of the torque link system made possible through a multifunctional design philosophy highlights the relevance and significance of multifunctional structures in current and future aerospace systems.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Design Optimization of Multifunctional Aerospace Structures




    Publication date :

    2021-05-24


    Size :

    17 pages




    Type of media :

    Article/Chapter (Book)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English








    Truss Optimization In Aerospace Structures

    Guilherme, Carlos Eduardo Marcos / Sant’Anna, Hervandil Morosini / Fonseca, Jun Sérgio Ono et al. | SAE Technical Papers | 2001