Sizing and Mass Estimation of Truss-Braced Wings, Considering Emerging Propulsion Systems.
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| Title: | Sizing and Mass Estimation of Truss-Braced Wings, Considering Emerging Propulsion Systems. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Taflan, Murat1,2, Smith, Howard3, Loughlan, Joseph4 |
| Source: | Journal of Aircraft. Jan/Feb2026, Vol. 63 Issue 1, p194-208. 15p. |
| Abstract: | To advance sustainable and fuel-efficient aircraft, novel configurations such as strut- and truss-braced wings are increasingly being explored. However, conceptual design limitations persist, particularly in the methods for structural sizing and mass estimation of these wings, especially when incorporating emerging propulsion technologies such as electric, hydrogen, and distributed propulsion. This study addresses these gaps by developing a quasi-analytical method for rapid and accurate mass estimation of the wings. Analytical load analysis methods are derived and applied to the structural sizing of struts, juries, and offsets. The proposed method achieves reduced validation errors for wing box, strut, and jury mass compared to existing methods, with an error of -6.77% for total wing mass. With a computation time of just 0.1 s per case, the method is ideal for early-stage multidisciplinary design optimization. Results indicate minimal weight penalties with distributed propulsion across varying engine counts, along with significant structural efficiency gains for truss-braced wing (TBW) configurations. Underwing fuel tanks on TBW designs further enhance structural and mass efficiency, particularly for dry wing scenarios. Additionally, offset effects reveal a potential reduction in total wing mass while improving aerodynamic efficiency. These findings underscore the promise of TBW designs to support net-zero emissions and drive sustainable aerospace innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Aircraft is the property of American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Engineering Source |
| FullText | Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: egs DbLabel: Engineering Source An: 191758310 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Sizing and Mass Estimation of Truss-Braced Wings, Considering Emerging Propulsion Systems. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Taflan%2C+Murat%22">Taflan, Murat</searchLink><relatesTo>1,2</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Smith%2C+Howard%22">Smith, Howard</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Loughlan%2C+Joseph%22">Loughlan, Joseph</searchLink><relatesTo>4</relatesTo> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Aircraft%22">Journal of Aircraft</searchLink>. Jan/Feb2026, Vol. 63 Issue 1, p194-208. 15p. – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: To advance sustainable and fuel-efficient aircraft, novel configurations such as strut- and truss-braced wings are increasingly being explored. However, conceptual design limitations persist, particularly in the methods for structural sizing and mass estimation of these wings, especially when incorporating emerging propulsion technologies such as electric, hydrogen, and distributed propulsion. This study addresses these gaps by developing a quasi-analytical method for rapid and accurate mass estimation of the wings. Analytical load analysis methods are derived and applied to the structural sizing of struts, juries, and offsets. The proposed method achieves reduced validation errors for wing box, strut, and jury mass compared to existing methods, with an error of -6.77% for total wing mass. With a computation time of just 0.1 s per case, the method is ideal for early-stage multidisciplinary design optimization. Results indicate minimal weight penalties with distributed propulsion across varying engine counts, along with significant structural efficiency gains for truss-braced wing (TBW) configurations. Underwing fuel tanks on TBW designs further enhance structural and mass efficiency, particularly for dry wing scenarios. Additionally, offset effects reveal a potential reduction in total wing mass while improving aerodynamic efficiency. These findings underscore the promise of TBW designs to support net-zero emissions and drive sustainable aerospace innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Aircraft is the property of American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=egs&AN=191758310 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.2514/1.C038402 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 15 StartPage: 194 Titles: – TitleFull: Sizing and Mass Estimation of Truss-Braced Wings, Considering Emerging Propulsion Systems. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Taflan, Murat – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Smith, Howard – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Loughlan, Joseph IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 01 Text: Jan/Feb2026 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 00218669 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 63 – Type: issue Value: 1 Titles: – TitleFull: Journal of Aircraft Type: main |
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