Design of a Composite Wing with Leading Edge Discontinuity Daniel Hult AerE 423 Project December 12, 2009
Overview Background Project Goals Design Computational Analysis Fabrication Testing Results & Conclusions Future Work
Background Purpose – Discontinuity causes vortex to form, keeping flow attached to outer wing and ailerons – Improved stability and performance at high α – Spin prevention Cirrus Aircraft Company
Project Goals Determine the structural feasibility of a composite, single-piece wing with a discontinuous leading edge. Design, build and structurally test a single- piece composite wing.
Design Phases: – Aerodynamic Analysis – Structural Design Purpose of project is structural Aerodynamics only to get accurate loads
Aerodynamics XFLR5 Analysis – Open source aerodynamics for R/C gliders – Uses Vortex Lattice Method – Allows low Reynolds Number analysis of any wing
Structural Design Laminate Study – Analysis of laminate geometry with comp_core – Varied combinations of 0/90 plies and ±45 plies – Loading Tension and Bending Compression and Bending – Laminates with more ±45 plies performed better in bending
Structural Design Final Laminate – 6 plies of in. thick bi-weave fiberglass – 4 plies at 0 and 90 degrees – 2 plies at +45 and -45 degrees
Computational Analysis ANSYS used for Finite Element Analysis Three cases tested – Isotropic material (aluminum) – Graphite-Epoxy composite – Fiberglass-Epoxy composite 300 N distributed load at tip – Loading from XFLR5 – Depicted test to be performed
Computational Analysis Fiberglass – Max Stress= 587 Mpa – Max disp = 1.25 cm
Fabrication Mold – Airfoil sections cut out of particle board – Used as stencils to hotwire blue foam – 2 sections joined and handle added to root
Fabrication
Lay-up – Hand lay-up around mold – Wrapped and cured with vacuum assistance.
Testing A Successful test would clearly accomplish project goals Wing anchored at root with load applied at tip Load added to tip until failure
Testing Screw MethodClamp Method
Testing Wood mount failed along screws (20 lb) Fiberglass failed along clamped shims (40 lb)
Results & Conclusions Wing failed at clamped root at small load ANSYS predicted stress concentrations and therefore failure at discontinuity The results were inconclusive, necessitating further testing
Future Work Better fabrication techniques and materials – Two-piece wing – Carbon Fiber – VARTM or Pre-Preg Better testing and mounting methods – Metal or composite mounting plate and insert – Metal or composite tip insert for loading
References Abbott, Ira H. and Albert E. von Doenhoff. Theory of Wing Sections: Including a Summary of Airfoil Data. New York: Dover Publications, Inc. c1959. “CAPS™ and Stall/Spin.” Cirrus Aircraft Company. Accessed 12 October Deperrois, André. “About XFLR5 calculations and experimental measurements” August Deperrois, André. “Guidelines for XFLR5 V4.16.” April Goyer, Robert. “Airplane on a Mission: Created for use in the humanitarian field, the Quest Kodiak delivers raw utility at a great price.” Flying Magazine. February “Kodiak Features.” Quest Aircraft Company. Accessed 29 September Meschia, Francesco. “Model analysis with XFLR5.” RC Soaring Digest. February 2008: p NASA Langley Research Center. “Spin Resistance” Updated 17 October
Acknowledgments Dr. Vinay Dayal, Professor Chunbai Wang & Peter Hodgell, TA’s AerE 462 group, especially Robert Grandin for ideas and support Iowa State University, Department of Aerospace Engineering
Questions?
Background Uses – Messerschmitt Bf-109 – Large commercial jets – NASA Spin Prevention Tests – Cirrus SR20 – Quest Kodiak Airliners.net Cirrus Airliners.net
NASA Spin Prevention Figures from NASA Langley report
Aerodynamics Airfoil Design – NACA 2412 chosen for basis – Common, well-known low-speed airfoil – Discontinuity created by extending NACA 2412
Aerodynamics Wing Design – Basic wing designed to be fabricated and tested structurally – NACA 2412 inner section (0.3 m) – Modified airfoil outer section (0.2 m) – b/2=0.5 m – cr=0.25 m
Laminate Study TestMaterialLaminate T1T300/5208 Graphite-Epoxy{[0,90];6}s T2T300/5208 Graphite-Epoxy{[0.90];2,[45,-45];1,[0.90];3}s T3T300/5208 Graphite-Epoxy{[0,45,90,0,-45,90];2}s T4T300/5208 Graphite-Epoxy{[0,90,45,-45];3}s A1AS/3501 Graphite-Epoxy{[0,90];6}s A2AS/3501 Graphite-Epoxy{[0.90];2,[45,-45];1,[0.90];3}s A3AS/3501 Graphite-Epoxy{[0,45,90,0,-45,90];2}s A4AS/3501 Graphite-Epoxy{[0,90,45,-45];3}s Table A1: Test Laminates PlanarBending TestEx (Gpa)Ey (Gpa)Gxy (Gpa)PoissonEx (Gpa)Ey (Gpa)Gxy (Gpa)Poisson T T T T A A A A
Laminate Study TensileCompressive TestX (Mpa)Y (Mpa)Z (MPa)X (Mpa)Y (Mpa)Z (Mpa) T E E-08 T T T A E E-08 A A A
Computational Analysis Isotropic – Max Stress= 654 Mpa – Max disp = 1.34 cm
Computational Analysis Carbon Fiber – Max Stress= 600 Mpa – Max disp = 1.25 cm
Mold
Finished Laminate
Testing