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Analysis and optimization of morphing wing aerodynamics

Witold Artur Klimczyk (Department of Aircraft Design, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland)
Zdobyslaw Jan Goraj (Department of Aircraft Design, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland)

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology

ISSN: 0002-2667

Article publication date: 8 October 2018

Issue publication date: 13 March 2019

657

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a method for analysis and optimization of morphing wing. Moreover, a numerical advantage of morphing airfoil wing, typically assessed in simplified two-dimensional analysis is found using higher fidelity methods.

Design/methodology/approach

Because of multi-point nature of morphing wing optimization, an approach for optimization by analysis is presented. Starting from naïve parametrization, multi-fidelity aerodynamic data are used to construct response surface model. From the model, many significant information are extracted related to parameters effect on objective; hence, design sensitivity and, ultimately, optimal solution can be found.

Findings

The method was tested on benchmark problem, with some easy-to-predict results. All of them were confirmed, along with additional information on morphing trailing edge wings. It was found that wing with morphing trailing edge has around 10 per cent lower drag for the same lift requirement when compared to conventional design.

Practical implications

It is demonstrated that providing a smooth surface on wing gives substantial improvement in multi-purpose aircrafts. Details on how this is achieved are described. The metodology and results presented in current paper can be used in further development of morphing wing.

Originality/value

Most of literature describing morphing airfoil design, optimization or calculations, performs only 2D analysis. Furthermore, the comparison is often based on low-fidelity aerodynamic models. This paper uses 3D, multi-fidelity aerodynamic models. The results confirm that this approach reveals information unavailable with simplified models.

Keywords

Citation

Klimczyk, W.A. and Goraj, Z.J. (2018), "Analysis and optimization of morphing wing aerodynamics", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 91 No. 3, pp. 538-546. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-12-2017-0289

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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