Multidisciplinary design optimization of an eVTOL aircraft using analytical target cascading

This thesis aims to develop a multidisciplinary design optimization framework for the design of complex multidomain system-of-systems. Analytical Target Cascading (ATC) is a design approach for establishing system-level consistency across independently designed subcomponents via coupled analysis and design. In this work, a hierarchical decomposition approach is introduced for the integration of preliminary sizing as well as various component level design and optimization models of a fully electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle. Analytical models for eVTOL subsystems are discussed, and various strategies for efficient application of ATC coordination between individual optimization processes for coherent integration across the systems are explored. A partitioned design optimization problem for a Lift+Cruise eVTOL is formulated and solved for the minimum vehicle weight, wherein the lifting surfaces (wing) and the propulsion units (propeller and motor) are designed separately as individual optimization subproblems. The augmented Lagrangian relaxation method is used to enforce consistency among shared design specifications across the overall system. Applying ATC provides the opportunity to isolate individual components of a complex system, establishes common interfaces across different disciplines and minimizes the risk of inconsistency between independently designed subsystems.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Aerospace Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2022

Author dc:creator

• Das, Ghanendra Kumar

Contributors dc:contributor

• James, Kai A

• eVTOL
• MDO
• Multidisciplinary Design Optimization
• ATC
• Analytical Target Cascading
• electric vertical takeoff and landing
• decomposition
• partition

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2021 Ghanendra Das

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113230

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/113230