• Adams
• Airbus
• AMESim
• co-simulation
• gear
• landing
• modelling
• simulation
• systems

Modelling and Simulation is a branch of engineering in continuous development across the
industry, and follows the evolution of computer technology and simulation tools.
By means of simulation, it is possible to explore and test several design solutions in a virtual
environment, and to obtain performance predictions before the physical devices are actually produced. This capability is used throughout the aerospace industry, where the development of a project requires huge investments, and the need of accurate predictions is part of the design process from its early stage, to minimise risks and wastes.
The work described in this dissertation was developed within the Simulation and Modelling
Group of the Airbus UK Landing Gear Department. It is focused on the description of the
approach, the techniques and the tools used to perform a hydro-mechanical simulation of the
Airbus A380 Nose Landing Gear Extension/Retraction Systems.
The creation of the hydraulic model using the AMESim modelling tool is described, as well as
the development of a mechanical model of the Nose Landing Gear with the ADAMS modelling
tool. The mechanical model already existed, but major rework was necessary in order to couple it
with the hydraulic model by means of co-simulation.
The setup of the co-simulation platform is explained, and the results of the validation process for the integrated models are presented, showing the process followed to tune the hydro-mechanical model, to match its dynamic behaviour with reference data.
Finally, the method adopted to extract the Pressure-Flow characteristics of the hydraulic model is described.