• Abaqus
• aircraft design
• Boxwing
• FEM
• fuselage
• PARSIFAL
• PARSIFAL project
• PrandtlPlane
• PrP
• Python

In the present thesis, a code for geometrical model generation and for statical and frequency FEM analyses of PrandtlPlane fuselages is presented, to be used in the frame of Parsifal project.

Named WAGNER, the code aims to provide a time-cheap as well as reliable tool in the conceptual design phase of a civil transport PrandtlPlane aircraft, in order to evaluate, in a preliminary way, stress and strain fields in the whole fuselage structures, so allowing a preliminary structural efficient sizing to be used as a baseline for deeper investigations.

Furthermore, WAGNER is able to predict, more accurately then classical statistic-based approaches, the fuselage structure weight, to better estimate the empty weight and, by consequence, the maximum take-off weight of a PrandtlPlane aircraft.
By varying parameters, the user can obtain a realistic configuration of the final aircraft, due to the high number of degrees of freedom.

The process is completely automatized: the user can easily set up geometrical parameters, load cases and choose analyses and output of interest. The meshing module is integrated in the code, as well.

In the second part of the thesis, some considerations about weight estimation and preliminary design are described. In this part, two layouts are taken into consideration: a single-deck 2-4-2 passengers abreast and a double-deck 3-3 passengers abreast.

Thereafter, a preliminary high structural efficiency sizing is presented for both the under-analysis layouts.
FEM results for three different load cases - cruise condition, ultimate pressurization (linear and geometrical non-linear solutions) and ultimate load factor - are commented in the last three chapters, showing the validity of WAGNER and raising new critical issues.
The process is completely automatized: the user can easily set up geometrical parameters, load cases and choose analyses and output of interest. The meshing module is integrated in the code, as well.