Conceptual Aerodynamic Analysis of a Regional Truss-Braced Wing Aircraft

In this research, the aerodynamic characteristics of the application of a novel high-aspect ratio truss-braced wing on a civil aircraft are investigated. It is expected that the increment of the aspect ratio from the existing 10-13 values to 20-25, will increase the aerodynamic efficiency noticeably. On the other hand, the long slender wing will increase the root bending moment, which in turn will increase the weight. To consider this issue, a strut is added to support the wing, and reduce the bending moments. To investigate the aerodynamic efficiency of this configuration, rapid engineering methods, i.e. low-fidelity methods, are used in conjunction with higher fidelity CFD methods. The results of both methods are compared, and it has been found that the engineering method can be used for the conceptual design analysis, at least at the linear range of angle-of-attacks (the range of AOA at which the flow is attached and lift increases linearly with it). Furthermore, it has been found that the application of the very-high aspect ratio truss-braved wing on a regional jet can increase the aerodynamic efficiency by 32%.

Keywords:

Aircraft , Aerodynamics , CFD , Truss-Braced Wing.