This paper presents a framework for tuning, validating, and quantifying uncertainties for flight loads. The flight loads are computed using a Nastran doublet lattice model and are validated using measured data from a flight loads survey for a Cessna Model 525B business jet equipped with Tamarack® Aerospace Group’s active winglet modification, ATLAS® (Active Technology Load Alleviation System). ATLAS® allows for significant aerodynamic improvements to be realized by reducing loads to below the values of the original, unmodified airplane. Flight loads are measured using calibrated strain gages and are used to tune and validate a Nastran doublet-lattice flight loads model. Methods used to tune and validate the model include uncertainty quantification of the Nastran model form and lead to an uncertainty quantified model which can be used to estimate flight loads at any given flight condition within the operating envelope of the airplane. The methods presented herein improve the efficiency of the loads process and reduce conservatism in design loads through improved prediction techniques. Regression techniques and uncertainty quantification methods are presented to more accurately assess the complexities in comparing models to flight test results. / Master of Science / This paper presents a process for correlating analytical airplane loads models to flight test data and validating the results. The flight loads are computed using Nastran, a structural modeling tool coupled with an aerodynamic loads solver. The flight loads models are correlated to flight test data and are validated using measured data from a flight loads survey for a Cessna Model 525B business jet equipped with Tamarack ® Aerospace Group’s active winglet modification, ATLAS ® (Active Technology Load Alleviation System). ATLAS ® allows for significant aerodynamic improvements and efficiency gains to be realized by reducing loads to below the values of the original, unmodified airplane. Flight loads are measured using a series of strain gage sensors mounted on the wing. These sensors are calibrated to measure aerodynamic loads and are used to tune and validate the Nastran flight loads model. Methods used to tune and validate the model include quantification of error and uncertainties in the model. These efforts lead to a substantially increased understanding of the model limitations and uncertainties, which is especially valuable at the corners of the operating envelope of the airplane. The methods presented herein improve the efficiency of the loads process and reduce conservatism in design loads through improved prediction techniques. The results provide a greater amount of guidance for decision making throughout the design and certification of a load alleviation system and similar airplane aerodynamic improvements.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/84345 |
| Date | 19 July 2018 |
| Creators | Olson, Nicholai Kenneth Keeney |
| Contributors | Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, Patil, Mayuresh J., Roy, Christopher J., Kapania, Rakesh K. |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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