Novel Design of an Airplane Split Wheel Based on the Hybrid Topology and Shape Optimsiation

A specific two-piece wheel is used for tyre testing at the Aviation Tyre Science Centre, and the optimisation of the wheel is concerned in this research. First, two load cases for the wheel are introduced, including pure vertical force (extreme loading condition I) and combined vertical/lateral force (extreme loading condition II). FE analysis is performed for the intact wheel design under both the extreme loading conditions I and II, it provides von Mises stress of the wheel and the structural deflection. Then the intact wheel design is optimised using topology and shape optimisation methods. The topology optimisation aims to refine the wheel cross section. Moreover, the shape optimisation is carried out by global search and subsequent local search. The final optimisation design squeezes 44.7% of the initial total material volume of the wheel, while the von Mises stress, the structural deflection and the safety factor turn to fulfill structural strength requirements.