Prediction of time-correlated gust loads using an incremental stochastic search

A new algorithm for finding gust inputs that maximize aircraft response loa ds subject to a constraint that is defined by an existing requirement is de scribed. Such gust inputs have two main applications: the study of time-cor related loads in stress analysis, and the estimation of design loads in des ign and certification analysis. The algorithm is applicable to nonlinear sy stems subject to commonly satisfied restrictions. The performance of the al gorithm is demonstrated on linear and nonlinear configurations of a realist ic model of a commercial wide-body aircraft, and the results are compared w ith those generated via two existing search methods.