Conceptual Design of Fuselages, Cabins and Landing Gears – Methods, Statistics, Tool Setup
Author: Pieter-Jan Goderis
Master Thesis
Abstract
The tool – in form of a Microsoft Excel sheet - is made for easily proposing input data
for the preliminary aircraft design and the optimization of the program PrADO. By
using several statistic data, empirical formulas and a minimal of input data, propositions
of dimensions for airplane fuselages and landing gear are given.
The designing goal of this tool is conventual airplanes for commercial passenger
use. For smaller bussiness jets the tool could be used too, but is not so reliable. The
tool can be used for very large aircraft but is limited to single deck aircraft.
When used for very large aircraft this will result in a high amount of seats abreast
and a lot of lost space in the cross-section, or a very long aircraft with an increased
weight a passenger because of higher bending moments.
The landing gear part of the tool is based on a tricycle landing gear layout. Because
of limited designing methods, only a limited amount of output can be given.
When the tool is compared to realty by use of some examples, there can be seen
that the tool is quiet correct.