A Combined Use of the Multibody System Approach and the Finite Element Analysis for the Structural Redesign and the Topology Optimization of the Latching Component of an Aircraft Hatch Door

In this paper, a finite element analysis for the structural redesign and the topology optimization of the latching component of an aircraft hatch door is developed. For this purpose, an iterative procedure for exploiting in a synergistic manner the integration of CAD (Computer-Aided Design), MBD (Multi-Body Dynamics), and FEA (Finite Element Analysis) software is developed. In particular, starting from the threedimensional design of the mechanical components of interest, a preliminary multibody analysis is performed to determine the scenario in which the complete system is subjected to the most severe loading conditions. Subsequently, finite element models of the latching and stop systems are developed from the threedimensional design constructed employing solid elements. Then,the loading conditions are applied to the finite element models, and an appropriate set of boundary conditions is established to perform the stress analysis of the subsystems of interest. Finally, the topology optimization of the latching component is carried out, and the entire procedure is repeated for the redesigned component to assess its performance compared with the original mechanical subsystem. The numerical results found by applying the proposed computational procedure to the latching component demonstrate that a significant improvement in the performance of the aircraft hatch door can be readilyachieved through the use of the redesigned subsystems proposed in this work.