TiGL - An Open Source Computational Geometry Library for Parametric Aircraft Design

TL;DR

TiGL is an open-source geometry modeling library designed for aircraft design, enabling parametric, high-fidelity 3D modeling for analysis and optimization in early design phases.

Contribution

The paper introduces TiGL, a novel open-source software that generates aircraft models from parametric descriptions using advanced B-spline and Gordon surface techniques.

Findings

Efficient generation of aircraft geometry from parametric data.

Mathematical foundation for B-spline based Gordon surfaces.

Versatile module for creating aircraft components.

Abstract

This paper introduces the software TiGL: TiGL is an open source high-fidelity geometry modeler that is used in the conceptual and preliminary aircraft and helicopter design phase. It creates full three-dimensional models of aircraft from their parametric CPACS description. Due to its parametric nature, it is typically used for aircraft design analysis and optimization. First, we present the use-case and architecture of TiGL. Then, we discuss it's geometry module, which is used to generate the B-spline based surfaces of the aircraft. The backbone of TiGL is its surface generator for curve network interpolation, based on Gordon surfaces. One major part of this paper explains the mathematical foundation of Gordon surfaces on B-splines and how we achieve the required curve network compatibility. Finally, TiGL's aircraft component module is introduced, which is used to create the external and internal parts of aircraft, such as wings, flaps, fuselages, engines or structural elements.