Analysis & Manufacturing of Composite Airframe for Uniaxial Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)

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The project industrial partner, Airvinci, is developing a coaxial rotorcraft with a ducted fan in both manned andunmanned types. Increasing the payload fraction of the rotorcraft is Airvinci's major objective as it wouldincrease fuel economy and maneuverability. As a result Airvinci desires a composite airframe that meets allregulations according to FAR part 27. The composite airframe will need to be optimized to endure all flightloads as well as impact load dissipation during the landing phase. The two main objectives of the proposedproject are:1.Direct Replacement of an existing steel spaceframe with composite equivalent.2.Design of an optimized impact reducing composite airframeThe research effort will therefore focus on the following:1.Non-linear Explicit Dynamic Structural AnalysisThe airframe will need to be crashworthy according to FAR part 27 standards. Therefore, it will be required toshow that the airframe will not deform significantly or will springback under dynamic loads. Traditional FEmodels utilize linear solvers for static analysis and small displacements. For an accurate estimation towards theairframe's crashworthiness and energy absorbing capabilities of the landing skids, a Non-linear model explicitmodel will be required. The nonlinear model will allow for more complex failure modes as well as dynamicanalysis. An explicit solver will allow for simulating the landing.2.Design OptimizationThe anisotropic properties of composites allow for a great deal of tailoring towards the design loads. Using acombination of the packages available in ANSYS it is possible to determine the directions of the plies as wellas their stacking sequence. The resulting design will also be optimized for manufacturing to avoid complextooling.