Multidisciplinary design optimization of an eVTOL aircraft using analytical target cascading

Das, Ghanendra Kumar

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/113230 Copy

Description

Title

Multidisciplinary design optimization of an eVTOL aircraft using analytical target cascading

Author(s)

Das, Ghanendra Kumar

Issue Date

2021-07-23

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

James, Kai A

Department of Study

Aerospace Engineering

Discipline

Aerospace Engineering

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• eVTOL
• MDO
• Multidisciplinary Design Optimization
• ATC
• Analytical Target Cascading
• electric vertical takeoff and landing
• decomposition
• partition

Abstract

This thesis aims to develop a multidisciplinary design optimization framework for the design of complex multidomain system-of-systems. Analytical Target Cascading (ATC) is a design approach for establishing system-level consistency across independently designed subcomponents via coupled analysis and design. In this work, a hierarchical decomposition approach is introduced for the integration of preliminary sizing as well as various component level design and optimization models of a fully electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle. Analytical models for eVTOL subsystems are discussed, and various strategies for efficient application of ATC coordination between individual optimization processes for coherent integration across the systems are explored. A partitioned design optimization problem for a Lift+Cruise eVTOL is formulated and solved for the minimum vehicle weight, wherein the lifting surfaces (wing) and the propulsion units (propeller and motor) are designed separately as individual optimization subproblems. The augmented Lagrangian relaxation method is used to enforce consistency among shared design specifications across the overall system. Applying ATC provides the opportunity to isolate individual components of a complex system, establishes common interfaces across different disciplines and minimizes the risk of inconsistency between independently designed subsystems.

Graduation Semester

2021-08

Type of Resource

Thesis

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113230

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2021 Ghanendra Das

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