Design, structural optimization and mechanical analysis of a hybrid structure landing gear for unmanned aerial vehicles

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are among the critical tools of today's defense industry. With developing technology, defense industry vehicles have also been modernized, and the production of more effective and efficient vehicles has become possible. One of the most critical features of UAVs is the ability to carry out defense operations without the need for personnel in operational activities. Various advanced components are used in the body production of UAVs to ensure their structural safety and increase their operation time. The most influential factors in the selection of these components are lightness and mechanical strength criteria. Manufacturers have developed components with different features for sectors such as defense, aviation, transportation, and maritime, using various production techniques and materials to increase mechanical strength without significantly increasing weight. Various optimization methods are used to design and produce components to simultaneously meet criteria such as weight, mechanical strength, impact resistance, and corrosion resistance. With the development of three-dimensional printing techniques and tools, low-cost, lightweight, and complex geometry parts have been produced and used in many areas. One of the most essential advantages of this technique is the rapid production of products with complex geometries developed with different optimization methods. This thesis study; aims to develop a landing gear that is lightweight but has advanced mechanical properties that can be used in unmanned aerial vehicles. For this purpose, main landing gear and nose landing gear components were developed. Topology optimization techniques were used to lighten the landing gear components. The mechanical properties of the developed nose landing gear were examined using the finite element analysis method. A hybrid structure design has been developed for the main landing gear strut. Structural optimization of the developed hybrid structure design was carried out with finite element analysis, and then the mechanical performance of the design was tested experimentally with mechanical analysis. Three-dimensional printing techniques were used in the production of experimental test samples. Additionally, the stress and deformation formations of the developed design were examined through numerical analysis. The results obtained showed that topology optimization is effective in reducing the weight of the structure without reducing its mechanical resistance. The hybrid landing gear design has made a significant contribution to increasing mechanical strength.