Multi-level Optimization Design of Aeronautical Composite Structures: From Component Testing to Systematic Verification

LIU Ziang; CHEN Yingshi; DENG Tianze; WANG Guoyue; ZONG Yuechao; YANG Chan; ZHENG Xitao

doi:10.7643/issn.1672-9242.2026.09.002

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Equipment Environmental Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (9) : 14-28. DOI: 10.7643/issn.1672-9242.2026.09.002

Special Topic—Structural Dynamics of Aviation Equipment

Multi-level Optimization Design of Aeronautical Composite Structures: From Component Testing to Systematic Verification

LIU Ziang^1,2, CHEN Yingshi^1,2, DENG Tianze^1,2, WANG Guoyue^1,2, ZONG Yuechao^1,2, YANG Chan³, ZHENG Xitao^1,2,*

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Abstract

The work aims to establish a multi-level optimization design method oriented to complex mechanical performance constraints to address the existing issues. Firstly, an optimization workflow with clear logical structure and easy modification was established by coupling MODEFRONTIER with ABAQUS. The optimization was carried out at assembly level, component level and element level. At the assembly level, partition optimization was performed on the aft-section skin, and laminate structures were compared with honeycomb sandwich structures. At the component level, parametric modeling and layout optimization were conducted for the frame stations. At the element level, ply thickness and ply angle optimization were implemented for the perforated plate, and the results were verified via tensile tests. Partition optimization at the assembly level enabled honeycomb sandwich structures to be adopted in critical regions, achieving a 68% increase in weight reduction margin, and provided references for structural type selection based on stability analysis. After component-level optimization, checks on strength, stiffness, dynamics, stability and fatigue life were performed, resulting in a weight reduction of 10.81%. The error between test and simulation results for the optimized perforated plate at the element level was within 5%, which verified the rationality of the proposed method. The multi-level optimization framework developed in this work covers structural type selection, layout optimization and mesoscopic parameter optimization. Validated by experiments, it provides a systematic research foundation for weight reduction optimization design of aerospace composite structures.

Key words

aeronautical composite structures / weight reduction optimization / structural form selection / complex performance verification / multi-level optimization

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LIU Ziang, CHEN Yingshi, DENG Tianze, WANG Guoyue, ZONG Yuechao, YANG Chan, ZHENG Xitao. Multi-level Optimization Design of Aeronautical Composite Structures: From Component Testing to Systematic Verification[J]. Equipment Environmental Engineering. 2026, 23(9): 14-28 https://doi.org/10.7643/issn.1672-9242.2026.09.002

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