index.md

title: Analysis
summary: Overview of the analysis modules of aircraftDesign repository
authors:
    - Sebastian Oberschwendtner
    - Kristina Mazur
date: 2024-11-28
glightbox: false

Analysis Tools

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Aerodynamic analysis

The tool aerodynamic_analysis calculates, as the tool name suggests, the polars of an aircraft. It uses the tool Lifting Line from DLR to calculate force, lift and moment coefficients for each lifting surface of the aircraft. These coefficients are used to calculate induced, viscous and wave drag as well as the moment coefficients for the overall aircraft. Furthermore polars are not only calculated for off-design mach numbers but also for high lift mach numbers. {.overview-item}

Module Version	Language	License	Documentation
2.1.0	:simple-cplusplus:	GPLv3	-

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Mission analysis

The module mission_analysis is the key module of the aircraft performance analysis. Its purpose is to calculate the flight trajectory, based on the inputs of the preliminary aircraft design cycle, by solving the aircraft equations of motion being simplified as a point mass model. Depending on the method, the fuel consumption is calculated either:

• in segments by using the Breguet range formula, or
• in a full-mission time-history simulation (the flight mission is divided into increments. For each increment the movement equations are solved, followed by the thrust requirements and fuel consumption)

For the user, possible changes in the module run configuration can be made in the related missionAnalysis_conf.xml file. The parameters comprised in this XML file can have different attributes as e.g. Desc, Unit, Default, AllowedRelOvershoot or text and are further subdivided into control and program settings.

Module Version	Language	License	Documentation
2.1.0	:simple-cplusplus:	GPLv3	-

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Weight and balance analysis

The weight_and_balance_analysis module calculates sub-masses and total masses of the aircraft including center of gravities. {.overview-item}

Module Version	Language	License	Documentation
2.1.0	:simple-python:	GPLv3	Link

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Constraint analysis

The constraint_analysis module updates the performance criteria wing loading and thrust-to-weight-ratio based on the calculated aircraft data. {.overview-item}

Module Version	Language	License	Documentation
1.0.0	:simple-cplusplus:	GPLv3	Link

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Ecological assessment

The ecological_assessment is an additional module of the UNICADO toolchain. Its purpose is to calculate the emissions and energy demand within the aircraft's lifecycle and to determine the missions based climate impact. For the user, possible changes in the module run configuration can be made in the related calculateEmissions_conf.xml file. The parameters comprised in this XML file can have different attributes as e.g. Filenames, Directories, Output configs, and are further subdivided into control and program settings. {.overview-item}

!!! note By now, only the calculation routines / outputs based on the flown mission are up to date.

Module Version	Language	License	Documentation
2.1.0	:simple-cplusplus:	GPLv3	Link

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Performance assessment

The module calculatePerformance is used to evaluate the mission performance of the design. {.overview-item}

Module Version	Language	License	Documentation
2.1.0	:simple-cplusplus:	GPLv3	Link

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Cost estimation

This modules calculates the direct operating cost (DOC) of an aircraft. Direct costs include all expenses incurred in operating and financing the aircraft:

• Fuel
• Crew
• Maintenance
• Fees

Module Version	Language	License	Documentation
2.1.0	:simple-python:	GPLv3	Link

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