Near-real-time nonlinear analysis of free-flying flexible aircraft on modern hardware architectures
Author(s)
Cea, Alvaro
Palacios, Rafael
Iorga, Lucian
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This paper explores the use of graphical processing units for computationally efficient aeroelastic dynamic analysis of free-flying vehicles. The numerical library JAX and an intrinsic description of the flexible aircraft dynamics are brought together into a highly vectorized codebase, thus enabling geometrically nonlinear simulations to run close to if not in real-time. The approach seamlessly integrates with conventional aeroelastic load packages to facilitate the analysis of complex aircraft configurations, which opens new possibilities for industrial-scale applications, including geometric nonlinearities. In addition, a multibody formulation is presented that shows the advantages of casting the nonlinear equations with velocities and strains as state variables. Verification studies on a double pendulum are first presented. The computational edge provided by the new implementation is then shown in a free-flying, very flexible structure in a vacuum that undergoes strongly coupled rigid body and elastic deformations. Finally, the aeroelastic response of an industrial-scale aircraft configuration is studied. Results include a comparison of the trim equilibrium against linear simulations, a recovery of the full three-dimensional geometry, and the response of the trimmed aircraft under 1-cos gusts. Wing loads are finally evaluated, confirming that linear assumptions may be nonconservative for high-aspect-ratio wing aircraft.
Date Issued
2026-02-01
Date Acceptance
2025-07-31
Citation
AIAA Journal, 2026, 64 (2)
ISSN
0001-1452
Publisher
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Journal / Book Title
AIAA Journal
Volume
64
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2025 by Alvaro Cea, Rafael Palacios, and Lucian Iorga. This is the author’s accepted manuscript made available under a CC-BY licence in accordance with Imperial’s Research Publications Open Access policy (www.imperial.ac.uk/oa-policy)
License URL
Subjects
Aeroelastic Analysis
Aircraft Components and Structure
Aircraft Dynamic Modes
Applied Mathematics
Differentiable programming
DYNAMICS
Engineering
Engineering, Aerospace
Flexible and Active Structures
High Aspect Ratio
Jax
Science & Technology
Technology
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2025-10-23