ICNPAA 2010: Mathematical Problems in
Engineering, Aerospace and Sciences

A novel robust design method was applied to multi-disciplinary design optimization of a flight vehicle. Math model of the robustness method based on concept of worst case sensitivity region (WCSR) was introduced. The proposed system was divided into five sub-disciplines according to design mission, namely structure, weight, aerodynamics, propulsion and trajectory. Analysis models were established in different professional tools. MDO model was built by integrating sub-disciplines into one framework. The dataflow in the framework was described. Traditional optimization method and WCSR based robustness method were both conducted. The robustness scheme was found without any presumed probability distribution of design variables, and compared to the traditional optimum scheme. The objective variation of robust scheme was limited in acceptable range while the system feasibility was maintained. The novel robustness method is suitable for typical robust optimization problem of flight vehicle design, in which the probability distribution and gradient information are not available. On the other hand, only finding out optimum scheme in conceptual design stage of flight vehicles may not be reliable, quality control measures should be taken in early stage of modern industrial product design.