Master thesis and internship[BR]- Master's thesis : Multi-Disciplinary Optimization Exploration of a General Aviation Aircraft Wing[BR]- Integration internship

Abstract

This study investigates the application of monolithic and distributed MDO strategies to the aerodynamic and structural optimization of a light aircraft wing, using the Cessna 172 as a case study. A parametrized model of the wing was developed to capture both aerodynamic and structural behavior, allowing for the evaluation of key performance metrics, including fuel burn, lift, drag, structural deflections, and material constraints. Monolithic \acrshort{mdo} demonstrated the effectiveness of fully coupled optimization, producing designs with significant improvements in aerodynamic efficiency and structural performance. Distributed MDO}, implemented through a decoupled framework using \textit{HEEDS Connect}, provided insights into the interplay between aerodynamic and structural disciplines, although convergence was limited. High-fidelity coupled fluid-structure interaction simulations were used to validate the distributed designs, confirming general trends while highlighting the necessity of full coupling for accurate predictions. The results illustrate the complementary roles of monolithic and distributed \acrshort{mdo} approaches: monolithic optimization ensures fully converged, high-fidelity solutions, whereas distributed \acrshort{mdo} offers flexibility, modularity, and early-stage design guidance. These findings provide valuable insights into aerodynamic-structural trade-offs and establish a foundation for further high-fidelity optimization studies.