Improvement of Aircraft Design Through Aerodynamic Shape Optimization

Sahraoui, Mohamed

Improvement of Aircraft Design Through Aerodynamic Shape Optimization

Mohamed Sahraoui

Abstract
Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) design requires substantial effort in prototyping, testing, and iterations. To enhance design efficiency and performance, this thesis proposes an automated design and optimization framework utilizing open-source software, including OpenVSP, VSPAERO, the Parasite Drag Tool, XFOIL, and Python. The study begins with a preliminary design phase, estimating key parameters such as maximum takeoff weight, wing reference area, and engine power through statistical and constraint analysis. The wing design is optimized for aerodynamic performance, followed by the creation of a tail design for static stability. The fuselage, landing gear, and propulsion system are designed with a focus on motor and propeller selection, culminating in an initial baseline design model developed using the DegenGeom CAD module within OpenVSP. --- The framework addresses challenges in drag prediction, lift estimation, and airfoil selection, introducing a hybrid VLM-DATCOM model validated through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and wind tunnel experiments. Its effectiveness is demonstrated through the design of two UAVs: a medium-sized thermal-engine UAV and a small electric-engine UAV. Key contributions include a systematic airfoil selection methodology, a robust drag correction model, and an optimization process that reduces design iteration time and costs. Accurate estimation of parameters like wing reference area, parasite drag and maximum lift coefficient is crucial for optimizing UAV design, impacting flight safety, endurance, stability, and overall performance. The results highlight improvements in aerodynamic efficiency and provide valuable insights for UAV designers in academia and industry.

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Date: 2025-07-03

Type of work: Dissertation

Advisor / Examiner: Dieter Scholz

This work is part of: transparent pin for text alignment Digital Library - Projects & Theses - Prof. Dr. Scholz --- http://library.ProfScholz.de pin

PERSISTENT IDENTIFIER:

URN: https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:gbv:18302-aero2025-07-03 (to reach this page)

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12738/18096

Associated research data: https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/1U32YY    (derivation)

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Keywords, German (GND): Luftfahrt,   Luftfahrzeug,   Flugzeugentwurf,   Optimierung,   Aerodynamik

Keywords, English (LCSH): Aeronautics,   Airplanes,   Design,   Aerodynamics

Keywords, free: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Optimization Framework, Open-source Software, Aerodynamic Performance, Drag Prediction, Lift Estimation, Hybrid VLM-DATCOM Model, CFD, Wind Tunnel, Experiments, Stability, Véhicules Aériens sans Pilote, Conception

DDC: 629.13,    629.1341,    629.1323,    623.7469

RVK: ZO 7205

Any further request may be directed to:
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dieter Scholz, MSME
E-Mail see: http://www.ProfScholz.de

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ISO 690:
SAHRAOUI, Mohamed, 2025. Improvement of Aircraft Design Through Aerodynamic Shape Optimization. PhD Thesis. Bordj El Bahri Alger, Algeria: École Militaire Polytechnique (EMP). Available from: https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:gbv:18302-aero2025-07-03. [viewed YYYY-MM-DD].

LAST UPDATE: 19 September 2026
AUTHOR: Prof. Dr. Scholz
IMPRESSUM (PDF)

  Prof. Dr. Scholz
  Aircraft Design and Systems Group (AERO)
  Aeronautical Engineering
  Faculty of Aviation and Automotive Systems
  Hamburg University of Applied Sciences

Download full text:	Available only from the author on request! Here is the e-mail address.
Date:	2025-07-03
Type of work:	Dissertation
Advisor / Examiner:	Dieter Scholz
This work is part of:	Digital Library - Projects & Theses - Prof. Dr. Scholz --- http://library.ProfScholz.de

PERSISTENT IDENTIFIER:
URN:	https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:gbv:18302-aero2025-07-03 (to reach this page)
Handle:	https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12738/18096
Associated research data:	https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/1U32YY (derivation)
URLs registered with URN:	Show all links associated with this text!

CATALOG ENTRY:
DNB:	Check inclusion of this title in German National Library!
WorldCat:	Check inclusion of this title in WorldCat!
Google Scholar:	Check inclusion of this title in Google Scholar!
OpenAIRE:	Check inclusion of this title in OpenAIRE!
Semantic Scholar:	Check inclusion of this title in Semantic Scholar!
BASE:	Check inclusion of this title in BASE!
CORE:	Check inclusion of this title in CORE!
Google:	Check inclusion of this title in Google!

Keywords, German (GND):	Luftfahrt, Luftfahrzeug, Flugzeugentwurf, Optimierung, Aerodynamik
Keywords, English (LCSH):	Aeronautics, Airplanes, Design, Aerodynamics
Keywords, free:	Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Optimization Framework, Open-source Software, Aerodynamic Performance, Drag Prediction, Lift Estimation, Hybrid VLM-DATCOM Model, CFD, Wind Tunnel, Experiments, Stability, Véhicules Aériens sans Pilote, Conception
DDC:	629.13, 629.1341, 629.1323, 623.7469
RVK:	ZO 7205