Structural sizing for an unconventional, environment-friendly aircraft configuration within integrated conceptual design

This paper discusses the application of an integrated multidisciplinary design process to an unconventional Low Noise Aircraft (LNA) configuration, with a focus on the topic of structural sizing. Through the use of higher fidelity numerical methods, structural sizing can be performed and analysed at a much higher level than in classic conceptual design processes. The effects governing structural sizing for this specific configuration are illustrated and discussed. It is shown that considerable differences exist between the LNA and a conventional reference configuration. This analysis provides a basic understanding of how an unconventional geometry can impact the global parameters of an aircraft design.