Technique Employing Topology Optimisation to Determine Panel-to-Panel Support Bracket Positions in a Spacecraft Body

The paper presents a real-time technique for determining the minimum number of panel-to-panel support brackets in an unpressurised spacecraft body and their installation positions employing topology optimisation in order to satisfy the dynamic compatibility requirements between the spacecraft and its launch vehicle. These support brackets connect honeycomb panels of the spacecraft body, which form the foundation of its structural design. The technique should be used at early design stages (such as pilot project and draft design) to generate structural design options in real time. We provide a general approach to using the technique as well as its detailed description based on a test problem example utilising the MSC. Patran/Nastran software package. We stated the optimisation problem mathematically and described its parameter selection. We list primary advantages and disadvantages of this technique as compared to the classical use of topology optimisation. Results obtained via the technique proposed may be used as guidelines for design engineers developing design documentation. The paper also outlines potential further development of the technique

The study was supported by the RFBR grant no. 17-08-01468a

References

[1] SOYUZ User’s Manual. ST-GTD-SUM-01. Issue 3-revision 0. Arianespace, 2001.

[2] Floudas C.A., Pardalos P.M., eds. Encyclopedia of optimization. New York, Springer, 2009.

[3] Bendsоe M.P., Sigmund O. Topology optimization. Theory, methods and application. Springer, 2004.

[4] Zhu J.H., Zhang W.H., Xia L. Topology optimization in aircraft and aerospace structures design. Arch. Computat. Methods Eng., 2016, vol. 23, no. 4, pp. 595--622. DOI: 10.1007/s11831-015-9151-2

[5] Remouchamps A., Bruyneel M., Fleury C., et al. Application of a bi-level scheme including topology optimization to the design of an aircraft pylon. Struct. Multidisc. Optim., 2011, vol. 44, no. 6, pp. 739--750. DOI: 10.1007/s00158-011-0682-3

[6] Brackett D., Ashcroft I., Hague R. Topology optimization for additive manufacturing. Loughborough University Institutional Repository, 2011.

[7] Poddubko S.N., Shmelev A.V., Ivchenko V.I., et al. Computer-aided design of machines load-bearing structures using topology optimization tools. Aktual’nye voprosy mashinovedeniya [Mechanics of Machines, Mechanisms and Materials], 2016, no. 5, pp. 86--90 (in Russ.).

[8] Komarov V.A., Kishov E.A., Charkviani R.V. Structural design of high-loaded airplane parts using topology optimization. Polet, 2018, no. 8, pp. 16--23 (in Russ.).

[9] Khitrin A.M., Erofeeva M.M., Tuktamyshev V.R., et al. Topological optimization of helicopter gearbox detail parts. Vestnik PNIPU. Aerokosmicheskaya tekhnika [PNRPU Aerospace Engineering Bulletin], 2018, no. 53, pp. 43--51 (in Russ.).

[10] Borovikov A.A., Tenenbaum S.M. Topology optimization of spacecraft transfer compartment. Aerokosmicheskiy nauchnyy zhurnal [Aerospace Scientific Journal], 2016, no. 5, pp. 16--30 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.7463/aersp.0516.0847780

[11] Borovikov A.A., Tushev O.N. Development of a spacecraft load bearing structures using topology optimization for two versions of manufacturing technologies. Inzhenernyy zhurnal: nauka i innovatsii [Engineering Journal: Science and Innovation], 2018, no. 9, pp. 1--3 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.18698/2308-6033-2018-9-1807

[12] MSC Nastran 2004. Reference manual. Available at: https://simcompanion.mscsoftware.com/infocenter/index?page=content&id=DOC9188 (accessed: 24.03.2019).

[13] Rozvany G.I.N. Aims, scope, methods, history and unified terminology of computer-aided topology optimization in structural mechanics. Struct. Multidisc. Optim., 2001, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 90--108. DOI: 10.1007/s001580050174

[14] MSC Nastran 2013. Design sensitivity and optimization. User’s guide. Available at: https://simcompanion.mscsoftware.com/infocenter/index?page=content&id=DOC10355&cat=MSC__MD_NASTRAN_DOCUMENTATION&actp=LIST (accessed: 24.03.2019).