Application of Aeroelastic Tailoring for Control Surface Reversal

This research investigates the application of aeroelastic tailoring to enhance the post-control surface reversal regime on a mid-range aircraft. Conventionally, active Maneuver Load Alleviation (MLA) is achieved through control surface actuation, while passive MLA utilizes structural modifications at the material or layout level to exploit wing wash-out deformation. Previous studies have demonstrated the significance of high control effectiveness in active MLA and the limitations of composite tailoring in passive MLA due to roll control authority constraints which typically result in stiffer wings with moderate mass savings. The aeroelastic optimization framework PROTEUS, developed at TU Delft, is employed to enhance operation in the post-control surface reversal regime. This is done to capitalize on increased control authority and thus promote load alleviation. The approach taken in this study is to identify critical constraints and assess the advantages of this strategy while acknowledging the technology’s immaturity, particularly its challenges in maintaining roll control effectiveness in certain flight envelope sectors. The results demonstrate significant mass savings in active MLA within the post-control surface reversal regime compared to conventional active MLA and highlight the substantial impact of the cruise-twist constraint on enhancing this regime.