This research presents a new experimentally tuned reduced-order modeling methodology employing a hybrid stick model representation. Digital image correlation (DIC) is used to synthesize mode shapes within a frequency range of interest during Ground Vibration Testing (GVT). Experimental mode shapesare augmented into the Guyan Reduced Order Model (ROM) to develop a corresponding Craig-Bampton ROM.

The primary objective of this collaborative research project is to further advance an established industrial strength framework for the aerodynamic design optimization of Advanced Aerodynamic Systems. A major expense during a three-dimensional aerodynamic shape optimization (ASO) is the cost of obtaining design sensitivities or gradients at each design iteration. The computational cost grows rapidly as the number of cost functions and design variables are added.

The proposed research will involve optimizing and improving engineering operations within Bombardier based on data collected from flight recorders and aircraft operators. This will involve developing new processes in maintenance tracking (i.e. tracking aftermarket spares sales, scheduled maintenance, accessing direct maintenance costs per component, etc.), and implementation of a stress tools suite for in-service structures evaluations. Currently, many internal processes within Bombardier are based on nonstandardized reporting and data collection methods.

Tracking the component configuration and modifications to aircraft within the commercial airline business presents a challenge for manufacturers such as Bombardier with currently available methods. This research problem is significant to the aerospace industry to construct efficient maintenance schedules for different aircraft and to properly evaluate system reliability for safety purposes. The objective of this research is to determine a new methodology for tracking and determining probable component configuration for commercial aircraft.

With the rise in fuel prices, operators are constantly pushing aircraft manufacturers to find new ways to reduce their aircraft’s operating costs. One of the objectives of this project is to create a Bombardier toolkit for the C Series. This will allow the operators to input parameters such as the miss-rigging present on their control surfaces, missing components, damage that occurred to the aircraft during flight or on the ground. Using Bombardier’s proprietary information, the fuel burn occurring due to these issues can be computed.

The certification of aircraft seats is a very costly process, and such the design of these seats is a detailed and time-consuming task. All new aircraft seat designs must go through rigorous physical testing to be certified as airworthy as per the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs). Because of this, many seats are overdesigned to avoid failing certification tests. This is detrimental to the lightweight design of components, which is increasingly important in the aerospace industry.

Bombardier started a few years ago the development of new architectures for aircraft control systems in a of a larger Internal R&D activity named XDIMA: Highly Integrated Control Systems on Distributed Integrated Modular Architecture. The main hurtle along this activity has been the increase in complexity which requires changes of best engineering practice. One of the main objectives of the proposed R&D project is the definition and evaluation of a novel approach to complex systems design: Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). MBSE will be used to explore new Aircraft systems Architectures.

Bombardier, a leading manufacturer of both planes and trains in the world, has become a major contributor to Canada’s economy. Facing today’s competitive market, Bombardier aims to retain existing customers and attract new customers through operational transformation, which focuses on continuous improvement in its internal operational efficiency.
The application encompasses two projects that center around continuous process improvement.

Business aircraft seats are typically designed to provide maximum comfort to the occupant, while adhering to strict certification requirements. This tends to result in the designed seat becoming heavy and costly due to conservative tradeoff analysis, and a dependence upon legacy design techniques. With the advent of more powerful computer aided design techniques – it is possible to design a seat that meets both the comfort requirements of the occupant, and strict regulatory requirements.