Date of Award

Spring 1985

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Program/Concentration

Engineering Mechanics

Committee Director

Jean W. Hou

Committee Member

Chuh Mei

Committee Member

Dennis J. Fallon

Call Number for Print

Special Collections; LD4331.E57T88

Abstract

The problem of finding the optimal cross-sectional shape of the elastic cage in wind tunnel balance is formulated and solved numerically. A mathematical model to implement the boundary condition associated with the elastic rigid connection into the finite element method is discussed. Numerical results show that the rigid connection at the end of the elastic cage has significant effect on the stress distribution.

The finite dimensional approach for a three dimensional design sensitivity analysis is derived. Using both the free and rigid boundary conditions, numerical examples are performed and comparisons of the accuracy of design sensitivity analysis between the proposed approach and the direct difference approach are made.

Finally, an iterative shape optimization algorithm is used to optimally design the geometric characteristics of the elastic cage of a loaded wind tunnel balance, subject to the given performance requirement.

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DOI

10.25777/se95-na51

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