University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Multidisciplinary design optimization of an eVTOL aircraft using analytical target cascading

Das, Ghanendra Kumar

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

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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