POWRE:Research/Educational Enhancement Plan Regarding Cost Minimization of Advanced Composite Rotorcraft Structures

本研究的目的是确定与在全尺寸生产旋翼飞机结构中使用先进复合材料相关的主要成本驱动因素。调查将包括咨询各种旋翼机行业和政府人员，以确定使用先进复合材料所固有的一般和具体问题。选择潜在的研究领域，旨在降低与设计/分析/制造过程相关的成本。将考虑在这种情况下应用结构优化程序的可行性。POWRE奖项的支持将使研究人员在主要的职业中断后，利用独特的机会重新建立行业联系，同时在结构优化技术的帮助下建立先进复合材料旋翼机结构分析和设计的研究领域。预期这项活动将增加教育和研究的机会。

The objective of this research is to identify the major cost drivers associated with the use of advanced composite materials in full scale production rotorcraft structures. the investigation will involve consulting with various rotorcraft industry and government personnel to identify general and specific problems inherent with the use of advanced composite materials. Selection of potential research areas aimed at reducing the costs associated with the design/analysis/manufacturing processes will be performed. The viability of the application of structural optimization procedures in such will be considered. The support from a POWRE award will enable the investigator, after a major career hiatus, to take advantage of a unique opportunity to re-establish industry linkages while establishing a research area in the analysis and design of advanced composite rotorcraft structures aided by structural optimization techniques. It is expected that both educational and research opportunities will be enhanced by this activity.