An optimization-based approach for supporting early product architecture decisions
Year: 2017
Editor: Anja Maier, Stanko Škec, Harrison Kim, Michael Kokkolaras, Josef Oehmen, Georges Fadel, Filippo Salustri, Mike Van der Loos
Author: Raja, Visakha; Isaksson, Ola; Kokkolaras, Michael
Series: ICED
Institution: 1: GKN Aerospace Sweden, Sweden; 2: Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden; 3: McGill University, Canada
Section: Design Methods and Tools
Page(s): 377-384
ISBN: 978-1-904670-92-6
ISSN: 2220-4342
Abstract
An important aspect in designing the product architecture of turbo fan engine structural components is the load path and flow path of the components. We present an approach for deciding the preliminary load carrying configuration or LCC (arrangement of structural elements to carry loads) for a generic, static engine structure during early design phases. The LCC, which is a part of the load path aspect, withstands multiple load cases during engine operation. Each such load case for the LCC can be represented as an interface stiffness optimization problem. Our approach for deciding the preliminary LCC involves individual consideration of a number of problems (load cases), down-selecting a small number of interesting problems, and running a coordinated optimization for the down-selected problems using the non-hierarchical coordination. The optimization yields a compromise solution that can be considered as a starting point for detail design of the integrated product. This approach may allow better design resources allocation, as the obtained solution satisfies a number of load cases on the structure.
Keywords: Early design phases, Product architecture, Multi- / Cross- / Trans-disciplinary processes