This paper on "Trends in the Design Analysis of Aerospace Structure" was presented at the NAFEMS World Congress on Effective Engineering Analysis - 25-28 April 1999, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.

Abstract

A brief historical overview of the Structures engineering analysis and simulation processes implemented at Boeing Commercial Airplanes will be presented, and how these processes fit the Boeing digital enterprise vision. Examples of typical current uses of structural applications will be presented, especially that of the finite element method and the computing architecture that supports these tools. Finally, the Product Simulation Integration (PSI) Structures project will be summarized relative to its objectives of reducing costs and cycle time in the design, analysis, manufacturing and support of commercial airplanes. This includes the definition of standard preferred processes, methods and tools in support of automated engineering analysis and simulation integrated with the structural product definition geometry data. Steps underway to implement a single logical Virtual Product Model and ISO STEP standards for sharing and archival of product information will also be highlighted.
The following text highlights the salient message that was projected more dynamically by the PowerPoint presentation during the NAFEMS World Congress '99 which focused on "Effective Engineering Analysis." A hardcopy of the live presentation slides is enclosed directly after the following text.