The aim of the research is to investigate strategies for optimum design of a dynamic system, together with its controller, process usually referred to as co-design, and apply that methodology to aeroservoelastic vehicle design. This can be split into the following categories:
- The methodology for devising a dynamic system and corresponding controller
- The methodology for a gradient-based optimisation
- Algorithmic differentiation to find the required sensitivities
The goal is to investigate general solutions that can be applied to a wide range of applications, although the focus here will be on very flexible solar-powered aircraft. To begin, a simple, purely structural problem will be investigated: simulation of a cantilever beam with varying cross-sectional area under an axial load. The external load, applied on the beam is a ramp load starting at zero and the maximum load is reached in time constant seconds which is a variable parameter. The aim will be to identify optimal area distribution for dynamic load minimisation for varying time constant.
In a second phase, the same simulations simulation will be carried out using 3-D solid elements into the open-source SU2 environment. This software is developed in a modular format and is actively developed; hence it provides a robust platform with diverse applications. For the next stage, an additional layer of complexity will be introduced in the form of a fluid. The coupled structural and fluid dynamics can be simulated and optimised for a cantilever wing as a static problem. Time history can then be introduced to the same problem under simple commanded manoeuvres to perform dynamic simulation and optimisation. Adding realistic constraints, the methodology will be further developed to consider the co-design for performance of a solar aircraft wing.