Progresses in Fluid-Structure Interaction and Structural Optimization Numerical Tools Within the EU CS RIBES Project

The capability to reduce the structural weight of aircrafts, and consequently the fuel consumption, is related to the accuracy of numerical tools and to the efficiency of design methodologies available. In particular, the capability to model the interaction of the several mechanisms involved in physics phenomena represents a key point in the development of engineering design tools. Typical examples are FSI (Fluid-Structure Interaction) analyses in which the capability to properly capture the behaviour of aeroelastic phenomena is crucial. Furthermore, the enhancement of environments able to include structural shape optimizations represents a significant step forward in the development of greener aircrafts. The objectives of the EU RIBES (Radial basis functions at fluid Interface Boundaries to Envelope flow results for advanced Structural analysis) project was to reduce the uncertainness in CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics)-CSM (Computational Structural Mechanics) aeroelastic analysis numerical methodologies, enhancing the coupling between fluid-dynamic and structural solvers, to improve the confidence on their accuracy and to progress in the development of structural optimization tools. At this aim, the project was focused on the development of an accurate load mapping procedure, on the implementation of an innovative workflow for structural shape optimization and on experimental validation of FSI (Fluid-Structure Interaction) methodologies. Radial Basis Functions (RBF) supply the mathematical foundation for the first two topics. This paper summarizes the results achieved by the project, describes the developed optimization tool and details the experimental campaign conducted to generate a database of measurements on a typical realistic aeronautical wing structure.