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Aircraft cost modelling using the genetic causal technique within a systems engineering approach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 February 2016

R. Curran ,
S. Castagne ,
J. Early ,
M. Price ,
S. Raghunathan ,
J. Butterfield  and
A. Gibson
R. Curran
Affiliation:
Centre of Excellence for Integrated Aircraft Technologies (CEIAT), School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
S. Castagne
Affiliation:
Centre of Excellence for Integrated Aircraft Technologies (CEIAT), School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
J. Early
Affiliation:
Centre of Excellence for Integrated Aircraft Technologies (CEIAT), School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
M. Price
Affiliation:
Centre of Excellence for Integrated Aircraft Technologies (CEIAT), School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
S. Raghunathan
Affiliation:
Centre of Excellence for Integrated Aircraft Technologies (CEIAT), School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
J. Butterfield
Affiliation:
Centre of Excellence for Integrated Aircraft Technologies (CEIAT), School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
A. Gibson
Affiliation:
Centre of Excellence for Integrated Aircraft Technologies (CEIAT), School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK Aeronautical Engineering, Massey University, New Zealand
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Abstract

The paper is primarily concerned with the modelling of aircraft manufacturing cost. The aim is to establish an integrated life cycle balanced design process through a systems engineering approach to interdisciplinary analysis and control. The cost modelling is achieved using the genetic causal approach that enforces product family categorisation and the subsequent generation of causal relationships between deterministic cost components and their design source. This utilises causal parametric cost drivers and the definition of the physical architecture from the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to identify product families. The paper presents applications to the overall aircraft design with a particular focus on the fuselage as a subsystem of the aircraft, including fuselage panels and localised detail, as well as engine nacelles. The higher level application to aircraft requirements and functional analysis is investigated and verified relative to life cycle design issues for the relationship between acquisition cost and Direct Operational Cost (DOC), for a range of both metal and composite subsystems. Maintenance is considered in some detail as an important contributor to DOC and life cycle cost. The lower level application to aircraft physical architecture is investigated and verified for the WBS of an engine nacelle, including a sequential build stage investigation of the materials, fabrication and assembly costs. The studies are then extended by investigating the acquisition cost of aircraft fuselages, including the recurring unit cost and the non-recurring design cost of the airframe sub-system. The systems costing methodology is facilitated by the genetic causal cost modeling technique as the latter is highly generic, interdisciplinary, flexible, multilevel and recursive in nature, and can be applied at the various analysis levels required of systems engineering. Therefore, the main contribution of paper is a methodology for applying systems engineering costing, supported by the genetic causal cost modeling approach, whether at a requirements, functional or physical level.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 111 , Issue 1121 , July 2007 , pp. 409 - 420
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2007 

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