Topology and Damage Tolerance Optimization of an Island-Hopping Aircraft MLG Fitting Using Generative Design

Proceedings of ‏The 2nd International Conference on Advanced Research in Applied Science and Engineering

Year: 2020

DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33422/2nd.rase.2020.03.94

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Topology and Damage Tolerance Optimization of an Island-Hopping Aircraft MLG Fitting Using Generative Design

Muhammad Rizki Mahalik, Annisa Jusuf, Tatacipta Dirgantara and Leonardo Gunawan

ABSTRACT: 

In this paper, a topology and damage tolerance design optimisation of the Main Landing Gear(MLG) fitting of a 19 passengers’ turboprop island-hopping aircraft was conducted by utilising the Generative Design technique. Generative Design technique has revolutionised the method of designing a structural component to attain the optimum component’s geometry while maintaining its structural integrity in withstanding the given loads, both static and fatigue. Since the MLG fitting is one of the Principal Structural Elements (PSEs) of the aircraft, the failure of this component can lead into a catastrophic accident. Hence, a damage tolerance analysis is essential to be conducted in order to determine the service life and the inspection interval of the fitting. Here, a combination of the short- and long-range flights for the aircraft was used to construct the load spectrum utilised in fitting’s crack growth examination. It is expected that the implementation of both the topology optimisation and the damage tolerance analysis on the fitting could significantly reduce the weight of the fitting while maintaining the compliance to the required static strength and damage tolerance aspects as stated on the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 23.

Keywords: Crack Growth; Fatigue; Fracture Mechanics; Principal Structural Element; Weight Reduction.