Publications

@conference{ Aigner2017_110 ,
title = {Using graph-based algorithms and data-driven documents for formulation and visualization of large MDO systems.},
author = {B. Aigner and I. {van Gent} and G. {La Rocca} and E. Stumpf},
url = {https://www.agile-project.eu/cloud/index.php/s/mbdufb7vnnMRb3Y},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-10-01},
volume = {Paper 173},
address = {Bucharest, Romania},
organization = {6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe ,},
abstract = {A new system is presented that enables the visualization of large multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) problems and their solution strategy. This visualization system is the result of a cooperation between RWTH Aachen University and Delft University of Technology (DUT) within the EU project AGILE. In AGILE, col- laborative MDO is performed in large, heterogeneous teams of experts by solving MDO problems using a collection of design and analysis tools. The two main phases of such a collaborative MDO project are the formulation and the execution phase. This paper focuses on the visualizations required to support the for- mulation phase of the MDO problem. In this phase three main steps have been identified: the set-up of the repository of interconnected tools, the definition of the MDO problem at hand, and the determination of the solution strategy to solve that MDO problem. KADMOS, an open-source MDO support system developed by DUT, uses graph-based analysis to formulate an MDO problem and its solution strategy, based on the disciplinary analyses available in a repository. The results of KADMOS are stored in a standardized format called CMDOWS, which is eventually used to trigger the execution phase by means of a simulation workflow platform of choice. Although based on XML, the readability of the CMDOWS file is quite poor also for MDO experts, especially for large MDO systems involving thousands of variables, thus preventing visual inspection of the formalized MDO problem. Providing visualization capabilities to thoroughly inspect the outcome of the three aforementioned formulation steps becomes a key factor to enable the specification of large MDO sys- tems in a heterogeneous team. Therefore, one of the main hurdles for using MDO as a development process can be removed. Conventional visualization methods (such as N2-charts, functional dependency tables, and design structure matrices) have major scalability limitations. Therefore VISTOMS, a dynamic visualization package based on the open-source visualization library D3.js, was developed by RWTH Aachen to enable the visualization and inspection of the different MDO system specification steps. The developed visualization capabilities are demonstrated by means of a wing design optimization problem performed at DUT. As shown in this use case, VISTOMS enables the visualization and inspection of a large MDO system containing more than ten different aircraft design tools, interlinking thousands of variables.},
keywords = {},
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tppubtype = {conference}
}

A new system is presented that enables the visualization of large multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) problems and their solution strategy. This visualization system is the result of a cooperation between RWTH Aachen University and Delft University of Technology (DUT) within the EU project AGILE. In AGILE, col- laborative MDO is performed in large, heterogeneous teams of experts by solving MDO problems using a collection of design and analysis tools. The two main phases of such a collaborative MDO project are the formulation and the execution phase. This paper focuses on the visualizations required to support the for- mulation phase of the MDO problem. In this phase three main steps have been identified: the set-up of the repository of interconnected tools, the definition of the MDO problem at hand, and the determination of the solution strategy to solve that MDO problem. KADMOS, an open-source MDO support system developed by DUT, uses graph-based analysis to formulate an MDO problem and its solution strategy, based on the disciplinary analyses available in a repository. The results of KADMOS are stored in a standardized format called CMDOWS, which is eventually used to trigger the execution phase by means of a simulation workflow platform of choice. Although based on XML, the readability of the CMDOWS file is quite poor also for MDO experts, especially for large MDO systems involving thousands of variables, thus preventing visual inspection of the formalized MDO problem. Providing visualization capabilities to thoroughly inspect the outcome of the three aforementioned formulation steps becomes a key factor to enable the specification of large MDO sys- tems in a heterogeneous team. Therefore, one of the main hurdles for using MDO as a development process can be removed. Conventional visualization methods (such as N2-charts, functional dependency tables, and design structure matrices) have major scalability limitations. Therefore VISTOMS, a dynamic visualization package based on the open-source visualization library D3.js, was developed by RWTH Aachen to enable the visualization and inspection of the different MDO system specification steps. The developed visualization capabilities are demonstrated by means of a wing design optimization problem performed at DUT. As shown in this use case, VISTOMS enables the visualization and inspection of a large MDO system containing more than ten different aircraft design tools, interlinking thousands of variables.

Fioriti, M; Boggero, L; Corpino, S; Prakasha, P S; Ciampa, P D; Nagel, B

The Effect of Sub-systems Design Parameters on Preliminary Aircraft Design in a Multidisciplinary Design Environment. Conference

Paper 245 , 6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe , Bucharest, Romania, 2017.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:

Della Vecchia, P; Nicolosi, F; Ruocco, M; Stingo, L; De Marco, A

An improved method for transport aircraft for high lift aerodynamic prediction. Conference

Paper 254 , 6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe , Bucharest, Romania, 2017.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:

Lombardi, R; Fioriti, M; Boggero, L; Lo Verde, L; Catino, N; Mirzoyan, A; D'Ippolito, R

Automated Selection of Airliner Optimal On-board Systems Architecture within MDO Collaborative Environment. Conference

Paper 258 , 6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe , Bucharest, Romania, 2017.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:

Prakasha, P S; Ciampa, P D; Boggero, L; Fioriti, M; Aigner, B; Mirzoyan, A; Isyanov, A; Anisimov, K; Savelyev, A

Airframe – On Board System – Propulsion System Optimization for Civil Transport Aircraft: AGILE EU project. Conference

Paper 270 , 6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe , Bucharest, Romania, 2017.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:

@conference{ Prakasha2017_107 ,
title = {Airframe – On Board System – Propulsion System Optimization for Civil Transport Aircraft: AGILE EU project.},
author = {P.S. Prakasha and P.D. Ciampa and L. Boggero and M. Fioriti and B. Aigner and A. Mirzoyan and A. Isyanov and K. Anisimov and A. Savelyev},
url = {https://www.agile-project.eu/cloud/index.php/s/gQJekKQyuaTEMid},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-10-01},
volume = {Paper 270},
address = {Bucharest, Romania},
organization = {6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe ,},
abstract = {As part of H2020 EU project “AGILE”, a Collaborative System of Systems Multidisciplinary Design Optimization research approach is presented in this paper. An approach to integrate airframe design analysis, as well as propulsion system, aircraft on-board systems, aerodynamics, structures and emission analysis in the early design process is presented. Moreover, the aim of this approach is to exploit the coupling parameters in an integrated analysis and optimization approach. Further, the disciplinary analysis modules from multiple organizations involved in the optimization are integrated within a distributed framework. The disciplinary analysis tools are not shared, but only the data is shared between partners through a secured network of framework. The collaborative design process is implemented by making use of XML based standard Common Parametric Aircraft Configuration Scheme (CPACS), which is the basis for communication within distributed framework to exchange model information between the multi-disciplinary analysis modules and between partner organizations involved in the research activity. The framework is validated with a regional jet passenger reference aircraft. The Sensitivity of varying Engine By Pass Ratio, On-Board System Architectures (Conventional/More Electric/All Electric) is performed through disciplinary modules, effects propagated and its impact on overall aircraft performance in terms of Fuel Burn, Emission and Life Cycle Cost is presented.},
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pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {conference}
}

Panzeri, M; Savelyev, A; Anisimov, K; D'Ippolito, R; Mirzoyan, A

Uncertainty quantification and robust design optimization applied to aircraft propulsion systems. Conference

Paper 271 , 6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe , Bucharest, Romania, 2017.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:

@conference{ Panzeri2017_97 ,
title = {Uncertainty quantification and robust design optimization applied to aircraft propulsion systems.},
author = {M. Panzeri and A. Savelyev and K. Anisimov and R. D'Ippolito and A. Mirzoyan},
url = {https://www.agile-project.eu/cloud/index.php/s/sZaY0aeguHPfkz5},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-10-01},
volume = {Paper 271},
address = {Bucharest, Romania},
organization = {6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe ,},
abstract = {The standard way of formulating optimization problems applied to aircraft design is based on the assumption that the underlying system is deterministic, i.e., that the knowledge associated with the design variables and with the system dynamic is not characterized by uncertainty. However, in real conditions randomness impacts the formulation of the design process in multiple ways and the system outputs (i.e., the key performance indicators and the design constraints) are also affected by uncertainty. A system designed under deterministic assumptions may therefore have an unreliable behavior due to the fluctuations associated with the input random variables. This problem can be tackled by adopting a probabilistic approach and re-formulating the design optimization problem with an additional set of constraints associated with the robustness / reliability of the target system. This work addresses the problem of optimizing the geometry of a turbofan engine nacelle subject on reliability constraints. An advanced, machine-learning based framework is adopted in order to (a) investigate the system behavior through an adaptive design of experiments technique and (b) build accurate surrogate models of the system dynamics. These surrogate models are then employed to run a set of probabilistic studies at an affordable computational cost. The results of these investigations include (a) an extensive suite of analyses aimed at characterizing the uncertainty associated with the output quantities of interest; (b) a robust optimization of the engine nacelle geometry and (c) an assessment of the reliability of the optimized design. The improved performance and reliability of the design, together with the limited number of overall system evaluations required to run the analyses, demonstrate the effectiveness and the engineering applicability of the proposed approach.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {conference}
}

Charbonnier, D; Vos, J B; Prakasha, P S; Mirzoyan, A; Savelyev, A; Della Vecchia, P

Low Speed Take-Off Aerodynamic Analysis. Conference

Paper 272 , 6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe , Bucharest, Romania, 2017.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:

Baalbergen, E; Moerland, E; Lammen, W; Ciampa, P D

Methods Supporting the Efficient Collaborative Design of Future Aircraft. Conference

Paper 844 , 6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe , Bucharest, Romania, 2017.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:

@conference{ Baalbergen2017_73 ,
title = {Methods Supporting the Efficient Collaborative Design of Future Aircraft.},
author = {E. Baalbergen and E. Moerland and W. Lammen and P.D. Ciampa},
url = {https://www.agile-project.eu/cloud/index.php/s/GNBTHYKRutJsdKa},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-10-01},
volume = {Paper 844},
address = {Bucharest, Romania},
organization = {6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe ,},
abstract = {The paper describes the need for and advantages of efficient and effective collaboration within the aircraft development supply chain. It discusses the barriers on the organisational, human and technical levels that hamper efficient collaboration. One of the focal points of the European Horizon2020 project AGILE is the creation of technical solutions for resolving the challenges that come with collaboration. In this light, the paper focuses on two methods being investigated and developed for supporting multidisciplinary teams from different organisations in collaborative aircraft design. The first method concerns the realisation of cross-organisational workflows for multidisciplinary design of aircraft. The workflows support the definition and smooth application of multiorganisation collaborative product development analyses. The second method concerns the deployment and management of surrogate models, which support efficient collaborative multidisciplinary aircraft design while dealing with intellectual property issues and computational speed limitations. After the introduction of the methods, two representative use cases which are successfully supported by the methods are highlighted. An important observation is that efficient collaboration is not straightforward when engineers from different and usually geographically dispersed organisations attempt to achieve a common design target. Once the collaboration methods are in place however, investigation of novel aircraft configurations is enabled by optimally leveraging the dedicated disciplinary knowledge of all involved experts.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {conference}
}

Torrigiani, F; Ciampa, P D

MDO Architectures Comparison: from Analytical Test Case and Aerostructural Aircraft System Design Problems. Conference

Paper 851 , 6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe , Bucharest, Romania, 2017.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:

Walther, J; Ciampa, P D

Knowledge-based airframe design using CPACS. Conference

Paper 852 , 6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe , Bucharest, Romania, 2017.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:

Ciampa, P D; Nagel, B

AGILE Aircraft Development Process. Conference

Paper 876 , 6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe , Bucharest, Romania, 2017.

BibTeX | Tags:

Lammen, W; de Wit, B; Vankan, J; Timmermans, H; van der Laan, T; Ciampa, P D

Collaborative design of aircraft systems – Multi-Level Optimisation of an aircraft rudder. Conference

Paper 898 , 6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe , Bucharest, Romania, 2017.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:

@conference{ Lammen2017_90 ,
title = {Collaborative design of aircraft systems – Multi-Level Optimisation of an aircraft rudder.},
author = {W. Lammen and B. {de Wit} and J. Vankan and H. Timmermans and T. {van der Laan} and P.D. Ciampa},
url = {https://www.agile-project.eu/cloud/index.php/s/YjICMo2W18kHMPY},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-10-01},
volume = {Paper 898},
address = {Bucharest, Romania},
organization = {6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe ,},
abstract = {The design and development of modern aircraft is a complex process involving many actors from different companies, e.g. the aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and suppliers of (sub)systems and parts. The suppliers are responsible for their own system or part design, while the OEM is responsible for the overall aircraft design and the interfaces between the aircraft systems and parts. A system design that is optimal from system or part perspective may not be optimal from the global aircraft perspective. In order to avoid costly redesign iterations there is a need to optimize both the design of the overall aircraft and of its systems in an integrated way. This paper describes two methods for applying Multi-Level Optimization (MLO), in order to integrate the local system/part design optimization within the global aircraft design optimization. The design of an aircraft rudder is applied as use case. The use case addresses the coupling of a specific aircraft design analysis with a specific rudder design analysis and the global and local optimizations. First the MLO method Analytical Target Cascading (ATC) is applied to a theoretical example of fictive rudder design. Second a surrogate-based MLO approach is applied to a collaborative aircraft rudder design study involving multi-partner analysis tools. Both methods illustrate that applying MLO provides insight into the coupled design problem both for the OEM and for the supplier and reduces development time.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {conference}
}

Zhang, M; Jungo, A; Bartoli, N

Disciplinary Data Fusion for Multi-Fidelity Aerodynamic Application. Conference

Paper 953 , 6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe , Bucharest, Romania, 2017.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:

Lefebvre, T; Bartoli, N; Dubreuil, S; Lombardi, R; Panzeri, M; Lammen, W; Zhang, M; van Gent, I; Ciampa, P D

Overview of MDO enhancement in the AGILE project: A Clustered and Surrogate-Based MDA Use Case. Conference

Paper 956 , 6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe , Bucharest, Romania, 2017.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:

van der Laan, T; Hootsmans, L; Panzeri, M; D'Ippolito, R

Robust optimization of a rudder hinge system taking into account uncertainty in Airframe parameters. Conference

Paper 957 , 6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe , Bucharest, Romania, 2017.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:

van Gent, I; La Rocca, G; Hoogreef, M F M

CMDOWS: A proposed new standard to store and exchange MDO Systems. Conference

Paper 969 , 6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe , Bucharest, Romania, 2017.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:

@conference{ van2017_66 ,
title = {CMDOWS: A proposed new standard to store and exchange MDO Systems.},
author = {I. {van Gent} and G. {La Rocca} and M.F.M. Hoogreef},
url = {https://www.agile-project.eu/cloud/index.php/s/wrQgJYlQBDS3BxC},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-10-01},
volume = {Paper 969},
address = {Bucharest, Romania},
organization = {6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe ,},
abstract = {This paper proposes a new format to store and exchange multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) sys- tems. Here, the generic term MDO system refers to the organized set of disciplinary tools, and their ex- changed data and the process connections that, all together, define an MDO computational setup. In the process leading to the formal specification of such a computational system, i.e. starting from a repository of disciplinary tools, down to the specification of the actual optimization problem and finally to the implementa- tion of a specific MDO architecture, the aforementioned set of tools, data and connections evolves, until the complete MDO system formulation (thus not yet executable) is reached. The proposed new standard, called CMDOWS (Common MDO Workflow Schema), has been developed to enable this process by providing a means to store and exchange any MDO system and its associated information in a neutral format. Further- more, CMDOWS provides the starting point to translate any MDO system formulation into an executable computational workflow, by means of a Process Integration and Design Optimization (PIDO) tool of choice. To the authors’ knowledge, such an exchange format does currently not exist, notwithstanding the enormous potential it would have for the exploitation of large-scale MDO in industry. CMDOWS is one of the outcomes of the EU project AGILE, where one of the main goals is to reduce the development time of distributed MDO workflows created by large and heterogeneous teams of experts. CMDOWS is an XML schema (XSD) that, in its set-up and structure, shows similarities with the Common Parametric Aircraft Configuration Schema (CPACS) developed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), which is becoming a de-facto standard to store and exchange aircraft design and performance data. Whereas CPACS allows the user to store aircraft data in a standard format, CMDOWS enables the storing the specification of a full system of multidisciplinary tools, including the data and process links between its various operating blocks (e.g. disciplinary tools, objective and constraint functions, optimizers, convergers, etc.). The key aspect of this proposed format for MDO sys- tems is its neutral XML-based data representation, which is both human-readable and machine-interpretable, making any stored MDO system exchangeable between the design team members and the applications de- veloped to support the team in setting up the MDO system. The latter form of exchangeability is a key enabler for the creation of a versatile MDO framework that includes applications such as tool repositories, MDO system formulation platforms, visualization packages, and collaborative workflow execution platforms. The CMDOWS definition is available, including examples, through a publicly available software repository. Although the schema is under continuous development within the AGILE project, a case study demonstrating the use of CMDOWS version 0.6 in the AGILE MDO framework is presented in this paper. Based on this case study, it can be concluded that the current version of CMDOWS already provides a robust standard to exchange MDO systems between MDO framework applications. The schema will be extended to meet future developments and promote its adoption as a recognized standard in the broader MDO community.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {conference}
}

This paper proposes a new format to store and exchange multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) sys- tems. Here, the generic term MDO system refers to the organized set of disciplinary tools, and their ex- changed data and the process connections that, all together, define an MDO computational setup. In the process leading to the formal specification of such a computational system, i.e. starting from a repository of disciplinary tools, down to the specification of the actual optimization problem and finally to the implementa- tion of a specific MDO architecture, the aforementioned set of tools, data and connections evolves, until the complete MDO system formulation (thus not yet executable) is reached. The proposed new standard, called CMDOWS (Common MDO Workflow Schema), has been developed to enable this process by providing a means to store and exchange any MDO system and its associated information in a neutral format. Further- more, CMDOWS provides the starting point to translate any MDO system formulation into an executable computational workflow, by means of a Process Integration and Design Optimization (PIDO) tool of choice. To the authors’ knowledge, such an exchange format does currently not exist, notwithstanding the enormous potential it would have for the exploitation of large-scale MDO in industry. CMDOWS is one of the outcomes of the EU project AGILE, where one of the main goals is to reduce the development time of distributed MDO workflows created by large and heterogeneous teams of experts. CMDOWS is an XML schema (XSD) that, in its set-up and structure, shows similarities with the Common Parametric Aircraft Configuration Schema (CPACS) developed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), which is becoming a de-facto standard to store and exchange aircraft design and performance data. Whereas CPACS allows the user to store aircraft data in a standard format, CMDOWS enables the storing the specification of a full system of multidisciplinary tools, including the data and process links between its various operating blocks (e.g. disciplinary tools, objective and constraint functions, optimizers, convergers, etc.). The key aspect of this proposed format for MDO sys- tems is its neutral XML-based data representation, which is both human-readable and machine-interpretable, making any stored MDO system exchangeable between the design team members and the applications de- veloped to support the team in setting up the MDO system. The latter form of exchangeability is a key enabler for the creation of a versatile MDO framework that includes applications such as tool repositories, MDO system formulation platforms, visualization packages, and collaborative workflow execution platforms. The CMDOWS definition is available, including examples, through a publicly available software repository. Although the schema is under continuous development within the AGILE project, a case study demonstrating the use of CMDOWS version 0.6 in the AGILE MDO framework is presented in this paper. Based on this case study, it can be concluded that the current version of CMDOWS already provides a robust standard to exchange MDO systems between MDO framework applications. The schema will be extended to meet future developments and promote its adoption as a recognized standard in the broader MDO community.

Kaminski, J; Torre, G; Tomasella, F; Rao, N K

AGILE Academy-Student Collaborative MDA. Conference

6th CEAS Air & Space Conference Aerospace Europe , Bucharest, Romania, 2017.

Links | BibTeX | Tags: