Deformation Analysis in Horizontal Stabilizer Assembly Using FEA Modeling and Multilevel Analysis

Abstract

The horizontal stabilizer is primarily assembled by edges and ribs. Edges and ribs are the typical thin-walled deformable aluminum components of the horizontal stabilizer with different manufacturing distortions. Part-to-part assembly of edges and ribs regularly cause difficulties associated with dimensional variations. It is time-consuming and impossible to construct one finite element analysis (FEA) model to find the propagation relationship from the edges’ and ribs’ distortion to the trailing edge’s deformation. The paper proposes a method to analyze deformation in horizontal stabilizer assembly using FEA and multilevel analysis (MLA) method. FEA method is employed to analyze the deformation induced by edges’ and ribs’ distortion, respectively, because of their different structural features.MLA connects edge’s and rib’s FEA models with orthogonal design of experiments, and accurate analysis in the interactive influence between edge’s distortion and rib’s distortion is obtained. It provides the bases for achieving high-precision calculation results with sequential small computational models. It will enhance the understanding of the compliant components deformation in assembly, and help systematically improve the precision control efficiency in civil aircraft assembly.