OptiMACS — European industrial doctorate for efficient multidisciplinary design Optimization of Multifunctional Aerospace Composite Structures

Results in brief

European industrial doctorate for efficient multidisciplinary design Optimization ofMultifunctional Aerospace Composite Structures

OptiMACS brought together a world-leading aircraft designer and manufacturer (Airbus), an SME with extensive expertise in multidisciplinary design optimization software (RISC) and two highly ranked universities (University of Nottingham (UNOTT) and University of Porto (FEUP). All network partners provided high quality training to five Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) with FEUP focusing on failure analysis and damage modelling in composite structures, RISC on novel optimization software engineering approaches, UNOTT on manufacturability of optimal composite designs and Airbus on industrial scale multidisciplinary design optimisation on global and local aspects taking into account production requirements. OptiMACS delivered a state-of-the-art, efficient multidisciplinary optimization platform able to deliver the blueprints for the next generation of European aerospace products. Some technical achievements of the Network are: • The formulation of accurate manufacturing and performance optimization criteria (focusing on strength, reliability and manufacturability) for aerospace composites. • The development of novel modelling techniques that radically increase the precision and computational efficiency of the employed optimization process. • The seamless integration of the software modules involved in the optimization process and the investigation of novel optimization algorithms and architectures that will enhance speed and convergence.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Modern aeronautical structures are increasingly made of composite materials due to their well-known benefits. Optimizingthe design of aerospace composites vis-à-vis the entire range of operational constraints (i.e. reliability, stability, strength,weight, noise, manufacturability and cost) to which the aircraft structures are subject, results in a particularly challenging taskfor the structural designer. Despite the volume of recent work dedicated to new Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO)models and techniques, the ‘No free lunch theorem in optimisation’ is constantly confirmed.A genuine need is therefore identified for a programme that will: i)Develop, deliver and implement novel and efficientstructural MDO technological tools for the European aerospace industry, ii)Nurture and train the next European generation ofMDO research professionals. OptiMACS has an intersectoral character, drawing know-how from both academic andindustrial research and innovation teams. It also has an intensely multi-disciplinary character, coupling expertise frommechanical, aerospace, manufacturing and software engineering, as well as from the area of applied mathematics.On the research side, OptiMACS will focus on improving the accuracy and efficiency of the MDO platform currentlyemployed by AIRBUS. This will be achieved by enhancing the design models and criteria related to composites failure andmanufacturing, developing and implementing multiscale models for composites as well as investigating advanced MDOalgorithms and architectures for enhancing efficiency.On the training side, OptiMACS will provide a fully supportive environment for 5 ESRs. A training programme aiming atdeveloping both the research as well as the transferable skills of the Fellows has been designed. All Fellows will have theopportunity to work in a multi-disciplinary environment, spending at least 50% of their time at the premises of the industrialbeneficiaries.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM · NottinghamCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE GMBH · TaufkirchenGermany
RISC SOFTWARE GMBH · HAGENBERGAustria
UNIVERSIDADE DO PORTO · PortoPortugal

OptiMACS · European industrial doctorate for efficient multidisciplinary design Optimization of Multifunctional Aerospace Composite Structures

Results in brief

European industrial doctorate for efficient multidisciplinary design Optimization ofMultifunctional Aerospace Composite Structures

Project objective

Participants

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