International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)

ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 7, July - 2013

CEASIOM : An Open Source Multi Module Conceptual Aircraft Design Tool

Md. Rayhan Afsar, Md. Abdus Salam

[Link] Horaira Banna, Md Jalal Uddin Senior Instructor and Head of the
Rumi, Aeronautical Engineering Department,
Student, Department of Aeronautical Military Institute of Science and Technology
Engineering, Military Institute of Science and (MIST), Mirpur Cantonment, Dhaka-
Technology (MIST), Mirpur Cantonment, 1216,Bangladesh,
Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh,
.

ABSTRACT
Following concept sketch and first-guess sizing, the design disciplines, aerodynamics, structures, and flight
conventional conceptual design process calls for group dynamics, impacting on the aircraft’s performance. It is
of specialists to ensure that the designed aircraft meets thus a tri-disciplinary analysis brought to bear on the
the requirements of that specialty (i.e. aerodynamics, design of the Aero-servo elastic aircraft. CEASIOM
structures, flight dynamics etc.). Being a does not however carry out the entire conceptual design
process. It requires as input an initial layout as the
RT
multidisciplinary iterative process, involvement of
different individuals at person, makes it time consuming baseline configuration that it then refines and outputs as
and requires extensive effort to keep pace with different the revised layout. In doing this, CEASIOM, through its
disciplines. As a consequence, there is a trend towards simulation modules, generates significant knowledge
IJE

replacing this method with computational procedures. about the design in the performance, loads, and stability
The expectation from these computational procedures is and control databases. The information contained in
a conceptual design of an aircraft, which can be these databases is sufficient input to a six Degree of
confidently passed to the preliminary design phase. In Freedom engineering flight simulator. CEASIOM runs
order to address this need, the Computerized under either Windows or Linux, and its only require a
Environment for Aircraft Synthesis and Integrated MATLAB® license.
Optimization Methods (CEASIOM) simulation system
has been developed. Significant features developed and 2. Brief Description of CEASIOM
integrated in CEASIOM are geometry, aerodynamics, CEASIOM, the Computerized Environment for
flight dynamics and aero elasticity modules. This paper, Aircraft Synthesis and Integrated Optimization
after introduction briefly describes the CEASIOM and Methods, developed within the European 6th
its module for aircraft conceptual design. Framework Programmed. SimSAC [2] (Simulating
Aircraft Stability And Control Characteristics for Use
Keywords- CEASIOM, Conceptual Design, Aero-servo in Conceptual Design), is a framework tool for
elastic, AcBuilder, SUMO, AMB, NeoCASS, SDSA, conceptual aircraft design that integrates discipline-
FCSDT. specific tools like: CAD & mesh generation, CFD,
stability & control analysis etc. all for the purpose of
aircraft conceptual design. CEASIOM is a physics
based multi-disciplinary program which steps in the
1. Introduction conceptual design phase. The design process is
CEASIOM [1] is meant to support engineers in the classified into three phases, conceptual design phase at
conceptual design process of the aircraft, with emphasis the beginning [3]. In the following Fig. the course of the
on the improved prediction of stability and control action at the conceptual design stage can be understood.
properties achieved by higher-fidelity methods than The green marked items are covered by CEASIOM.
found in contemporary aircraft design tools. Moreover, Significant features [4] developed and integrated in
CEASIOM integrates into one application the main CEASIOM as modules are: AcBuilder, SUMO, AMB,
Propulsion, SDSA, NeoCass, and FCSDT.

IJERTV2IS70544 [Link] 1807

 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 7, July - 2013

which are generally necessary for a geometrical

description of an aircraft. The description is based in
DESIGN
REQUIREMENTS
tree structure like fig.

Aircraft
NEW
TECHNOOGY CONCEPT
AVAILABLE IDEAS
Fusela Wing 1 Horizo Etc.
ge ntal tail

CONCEPT
SKETCH
Area Aileron Etc.

FIRST-GUESS
SIZING Chord Etc.

Figure 2. Tree structure of aircraft geometrical data.

INITIAL REVISED
The sequence of data flow in CEASIOM is given
LAYOUT LAYOUT
below:
Geometric Data

INITIAL ANALYSIS AcBuilder

RT
ANALYSIS

AERODYNAMICS
AERODYNAMICS
IJE

WEIGHTS W&B SUMO

WEIGHTS

PROPULSION PROPULSION

NeoCASS AMB
SATB & CONT

STRUCTURES Aerodynamic
Coefficients

COST

Propulsion

SIZING & REFINED SIZING FCSDT SDSA

PERFORMANCE &PERFORMANCE
OPTIMIZATION OPTIMIZATION
Figure 3. Data Flow in CEASIOM

DESIGN
2.1 Modules of CEASIOM
PRELIMINAR
2.1.1AcBuilder. The starting point of CEASIOM: the
aircraft builder [6] module which allow user to define a
Figure 1. Conceptual Design Phase parameterized geometry of an aircraft and visualize it.
Also the input of miscellaneous data can be set. With
The whole CEASIOM format is based on *.xml format. the help of this module it is possible to import and
The input *.xml [5] file contains all the parameters export the parameters in *.xml format. This way an

IJERTV2IS70544 [Link] 1808

 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 7, July - 2013

input file can be generated for AMB module, the

NeoCass module and FCSDT. The sub-item of
AcBuilder is: [Link] Definition, 2. Weight &
Balance accommodations, 3. Centre of Gravity
computation, [Link] Definitions. In Geometry
module the single characteristics of in view of
geometrical components and the fuel are set.

[4]
Figure 7. Technology Definitions

2.1.2 SUMO. SUMO is a graphical tool aimed at rapid

creation of aircraft geometries and automatic surface
mesh generation developed by Larosterna [8]. It is not a
full-fledged CAD system, but rather an easy-to-use
sketchpad, highly specialized towards aircraft
configurations. It is written in C++. It is designed for a
[4]
simple & time saving surface modeling of different
Figure 4. Geometry Definition aircraft configurations. There are two surface types
which simplifies the modeling. On the other hand user
The integrated weight & balance module [7] is relevant can define a body surface, e.g. for fuselage structure or
for the first estimation of overall weight & inertias. pylons. On the other hand wing surface can be chosen,
which are used for instance for modeling the horizontal
tail and lifting surfaces. With the help of SUMO a mesh
file for CFD analysis [9] can be generated. A surface
RT
mesh & a volume mesh are realizable.
IJE

[4]
Figure 5. Weight & Balance Accommodations

The position Centre of Gravity is located through CG

computation module.
[8]
Figure 8. Mesh generated by SUMO

2.1.3 AMB. The Aerodynamic Model Builder (AMB)

controls the calculation and displays of the
aerodynamic aircraft characteristics such the
development of lift and drag over angle of attack. The
user may currently choose between three methods.
These are the vortex lattice solver Tornado, the empiric
program Digital DATCOM of the US Air Force and the
CFD flow solver EDGE of the Swedish Defense
Research Agency FOI. In case EDGE is to be used as
Figure 6. Centre of Gravity computation
[4] CFD solver a CFD mesh must be prepared using the
tool SUMO previously.
The technology module is significant for structural
sizing.

IJERTV2IS70544 [Link] 1809

 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 7, July - 2013

 Six Degree of Freedom flight simulation: Test

flights, including trim response and
Turbulence.

 Flight Control System based on Linear

Quadratic Regulator (LQR) theory, including
Human Pilot model, Stability Augmentation
System and Actuator model o LQR based
FCS.

Figure 9. AMB Module

[4]  Performance prediction.
The core module of SDSA [12] is stability analysis. In
Tornado and DATCOM do not require a detailed mesh, Fig. the scheme of stability analysis is pictured. The
thus these solvers may be run directly after AcBuilder. mathematical model is transferred into matrix form for
Both are summed up under Tier 1 methods [10] & give getting the result. SDSA includes two ways of
good results for low speed aerodynamics and low transforming the nonlinear equation into a linear one.
angles of attack. The second fragment is based on the One possibility is making additional assumptions (e.g.
EDGE Euler code & belongs to Tier 1+ [10]. Here the that altitude angles are small). The second way is the
compressible effects are captured & hence used for high direct linearization of the force vector by calculation of
speed aerodynamics. A third part is Tier 2; it is not yet Jacobin matrix for the defined state of flight.
implemented to CEASIOM. It includes RANS flow Aerodynamic Data Model Builder
simulation. ANS models include also viscous effects. A (mass and geometry)

challenge is to approach automatic volume mesh

generation for tier I+, with geometries including control
surface deflections.
RT
IJE

General Forces
(incl. Aero Forces)

Equation of motion
(non-linear)

Equilibrium state
ds/dt=0
[10]
Figure 10. Adaptive Fidelity Geometry Modeling
SDSA
Jacobian matrix of
2.1.4 Propulsion. The Propulsion [11] tool calculates state derivatives
engine performance data over Mach number and
altitude that are required for the following tool SDSA.
The user interaction is limited to the input of the desired Eigenvalues
calculation nodes in terms of Mach number and altitude
(in km).
Identification of the
2.1.5 SDSA. The SDSA [4] (Simulation and Dynamic modes of motion
Stability Analysis) module is useful for dealing with
stability analysis based on JAR/FAR, ICAO and MIL. Stability
Also six degree of freedom simulation is possible. characteristics

 Stability analysis: Eigenvalues analysis of

SDSA covers the following functionalities:
Figure 11. Stability analysis scheme
linearized model in open and closed loop case
and Time history identification (nonlinear Next module is flight simulation model. With the help
model). of this module it is possible to compute flight

IJERTV2IS70544 [Link] 1810

 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 7, July - 2013

parameters in real time. In this way stability

characteristics can be verified using a full nonlinear
model.
Initial Condition

Equilibrium state
F(s)=0 General Forces
(Initial state vector,
(incl. Aero Forces)
initial control, t=0)

[14]
Figure 13. The layout of NeoCass Suite
Control
In order to start the aero elastic analysis, a semi-
analytical module named GUESS[15] (Generic
Unknowns Estimator in Structural Sizing), based on a
t = t+dt

Integration of modified version of the AFaWWE code (Analytical

equation of motion Fuselage and Wing Weight Estimation) , is run to
produce for the whole airframe an initial estimate of the
ds/dt = A11F(t,s) stiffness distribution on the basis of user-defined sizing
Optional on-line parameters. The initial structural sizing is performed in
visualization a fully stressed design condition and introduces
No structural instability limits for compressed panels and
Stop stiffeners. However, no aero elastic effects are
RT
considered during this sizing phase. Once the initial
Yes
structural sizing and the first stiffness distribution is
determined by GUESS, a structural and aerodynamic
IJE

mesh is automatically generated to allow for the

Results visualization
subsequent aero elastic assessment and optimization
together with all the requested information for the fluid-
structure interfacing.
Figure 12. Scheme of Flight Simulation
The second main module is named SMARTCAD
The SDSA tool also include flight control system, (Simplified Models for Aero elasticity in Conceptual
which consists of a human pilot model, a stability Aircraft Design)[16] and it is dedicated to the aero elastic
augmentation system, an actuators model and a analysis. SMARTCAD is based on different analysis
stabilization system based on LQR method. tools with increasing fidelity and computational costs.
Two classic lifting surface methods are implemented:
2.1.6 NeoCass. NeoCass [13] is a suite of modules that the Vortex Lattice Method (VLM) for subsonic steady
combines state of the art computational, analytical and aerodynamic and aero elastic calculations and the
semi-empirical methods to tackle all the aspects of the Doublet Lattice Method (DLM) for the prediction of
aero-structural analysis of a design layout at conceptual harmonic aerodynamic generalized forces and subsonic
design stage. It includes two[14] main modules, flutter analysis. An interface to high-fidelity CFD codes
respectively named GUESS (Generic Unknowns is also available. Since at the conceptual level indeed,
Estimator in Structural Sizing) and SMARTCAD the primary focus is on determining and representing at
(Simplified Models for Aero elasticity in Conceptual least structural/nonstructural mass and stiffness
Aircraft Design) as shown in figure 1. An external distribution to satisfy strength, stiffness and stability
module is included, called W&B [7] (Weight and requirements. Few simple lumped structural elements
Balance), used also by other modules of CAESIOM capable of giving equivalent structural behavior can be
procedure, necessary in order to have a first estimate of used for this purpose such as a linear equivalent plate,
the non-structural masses and their location for the linear beam or non-linear beam to introduce
estimation of inertial loads. geometrical non-linear effects. These models lead to
low-order algebraic problems, keeping the
computational cost very low and allowing several

IJERTV2IS70544 [Link] 1811

 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 7, July - 2013

configurations to be examined quickly. NeoCASS [Link]

includes also a dedicated Multi-Disciplinary CEASIOM uses AcBuilder to define the geometry of
Optimization (MDO) tool [17] used to refine the initial the aircraft and thus generate the input file for the other
structural sizing so that different aero elastic constraints modules (i.e. AMB, NeoCass, FCSDT etc.). Hence a
can be satisfied as limits on: divergence speed, aero precise output from the AcBuilder is the prerequisite for
elastic aerodynamic derivatives, maximum deformed a successful iteration. And unfortunately CEASIOM
shape under loading due to structural flexibility, flutter acknowledges some degree of limitations at this regard.
speed. Limitation on aircraft configuration (since a CEASIOM
aircraft must have a circular section on fuselage and at
least a wing.) is often addressed while using AcBuilder.
Besides, instead of limited to current proprietary *.xml
format, users often prefer to adopt a more common data
format and geometry. To mitigate such kind of
problems defined by the users CEASIOM continues a
dynamic evolution process. Some important ongoing
developments are: new Graphical User Interface (GUI)
for AcBuilder, a new version of AMB is under
finalization, GUI optimization. At the end when the
Figure 14. Examples of aircraft configurations that limitations are compromised CEASIOM offers a fast
can be analyzed using NeoCASS: a small size and up-to a certain degree of reliable computational
trainer (left), a twin engine regional aircraft (middle) method which replaces real life model analysis during
and a transonic cruiser (right).
conceptual design and saves time and simultaneously
reduces product cost.
2.1.7 FCSDT. FCSDT[18] (Flight Control System
Design Toolkit) has two main capabilities: The first References
RT
function is to design the FCS itself while the second
function is to perform some analyses which affect [1] Computerised Environment for Aircraft Synthesis and
design of other sub-spaces in the aircraft design space. Integrated Optimisation Methods ([Link])
[2] Simulating Aircraft Stability And Control Characteristics
IJE

The FCSDT includes five modules known as: FCSA-

for Use in Conceptual Design, Project Coordinator:
Flight Control System Architecture, SCAA- Stability & Prof. Arthur Rizzi, KTH - The Royal Institute of Technology
Control Analyzer & Assessor, LTIS-Linear Time ([Link])
Invariant Synthesis, CLD-Control Laws Definition, [3] Raymer, D.P (2006), Aircraft Design: A Conceptual
FSim-Desktop Flight Simulator. th
Approach (4 edition), Washington, DC, AIAA, Inc.
[4] Computerised Environment for Aircraft Synthesis and
Under FCSA the architecture of control system is built Integrated Optimisation Methods
up. The control system is the base for reliability ([Link]
analysis. The results of FCSA are given as files of the [5] Andrés Puelles et al, “CEASIOM XML file Definition”,
designed architecture, the bill of material & the failure Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, February 2010.
mode. Also global live data for SCAA and FSim and [6] Martin Lahuta,” AcBuilder –input tool for CEASIOM
graphical results are available. The SCSA tool includes software.”
functionality to trim, linearizing and simulating a [7] Javier Muñoz, “CEASIOM Weight & Balance Module”,
KTH University,Stockholm, June 2010.
Simulink built aircraft model. First the model is
[8] Larosterna Engineering Dynamics, Royal Institute of
initialized, then the condition are set for trim and Technology( [Link]
performance analysis. At last the trimming process and [9] A. Rizzi, J. Oppelstrupy,M. Zhangz and M. Tomacx,
the simulation can be carried out. By LTIS tool flight “Coupling Parametric Aircraft Lofting to CFD & CSM Grid
control laws can be designed. Also closed loop system Generation for Conceptual Design”, 2011 AIAA Aerospace
can be simulated and analyzed. The CLD module is Sciences Meeting.
based on the different aircraft control philosophies in [10] Molitor, P. “CEASIOM tier 1 and 1+ module for
various flight phases and maneuvers, built up by simulation of aircraft stability and control characteristics”,
different parameters. It is possible to set and categorize Stockholm, 2009.
[11] Kolja Seeckt,“ Application of PreSTo: Aircraft
the control laws and protections. FSim should be able to
Preliminary Sizing and Data Export to CEASIOM”,
make a flight simulation according to the data from the Stockholm, Sweden, 2011.
FCSA tool.
[12] SimSAC, “ SDSA-Theoretical Basics”, Stockholm,
Sweden, 2009.

IJERTV2IS70544 [Link] 1812

 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 7, July - 2013

[13] Next generation Conceptual Aero Structural Sizing ,

Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Ingegneria
Aerospaziale ([Link]
[14] L. Cavagna, A. Da Ronch, S. Ricci, “ NeoCASS
Next generation Conceptual Aero Structural Sizing”,
Dipartimento di Ingegneria Aerospaziale - Politecnico di
Milano.
[15] Da Ronch, A., “GUESS: Generic Unknown Estimator for
Aircraft Structural Sizing,” Master Thesis, Royal Institute of
Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden, October 2008.
[16] L. Cavagna, S. Ricci, and L. Travaglini. “Neocass:An
integrated tool for structural sizing, aeroelastic analysis and
mdo at conceptual design level.”Progress in Aerospace
Sciences, 47(8):621–635,2011.
[17] L. Cavagna, S. Ricci, and L. Travaglini. “Aeroelastic
analysis and optimization at conceptual design level using
neocass suite”. In Proceedings of the 52th
AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC SDM Conference,Denver,
Colorado, April 2011.
[18] Maheri,A;Beaverstock,C;Sidoryuk,M. “Flight Control
and System Designer Toolkit-Technical Report and User
Manual”, Bristol: SimSAC, 2008.

RT
IJE

IJERTV2IS70544 [Link] 1813