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Research Interests

I'm interested in developing methods that might make high-fidelity MDO a practical tool for designing the next generation of highly flexible aircraft. For example, in my MSc thesis and the corresponding conference paper, I expanded the Lab's MACH framework to enable the use of geometrically nonlinear finite element models which are critical for accurately modelling the aeroelastic behaviour of very flexible wings.

More recently I have been working on a framework for including geometrically nonlinear flutter constraints in high fidelity aerostructural optimization.

Education

• PhD, Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan, 2020 - Present
• MSc, Aerospace Engineering (Flight Performance & Propulsion), TU Delft, 2017 - 2020
• MEng (hons), Mechanical Engineering, University of Edinburgh, 2012 - 2017

Publications

Journal Papers

2023

1. High-fidelity Aerostructural Optimization with a Geometrically Nonlinear Flutter Constraint

   A. C. Gray, C. Riso, E. Jonsson, J. R. R. A. Martins, and C. E. S. Cesnik

   AIAA Journal, 61(6):2430–2443, 2023

   doi:10.2514/1.J062127

   Details

2. High-Fidelity Gradient-Based Wing Structural Optimization Including Geometrically Nonlinear Flutter Constraint

   E. Jonsson, C. Riso, B. B. Monteiro, A. C. Gray, J. R. R. A. Martins, and C. E. S. Cesnik

   AIAA Journal, 61(7):3045–3061, 2023

   doi:10.2514/1.J061575

   Details

Conference Papers

2024

1. A Proposed Benchmark Model for Practical Aerostructural Optimization of Aircraft Wings

   A. C. Gray, and J. R. R. A. Martins

   AIAA SciTech Forum, 2024

   doi:10.2514/6.2024-2775

   Details

2023

1. Geometrically Nonlinear High-fidelity Aerostructural Optimization Including Geometric Design Variables

   A. C. Gray, G. J. Kennedy, and J. R. R. A. Martins

   AIAA Aviation Forum, 2023

   doi:10.2514/6.2023-3316

   Details

2022

1. To CFD or not to CFD? Comparing RANS and viscous panel methods for airfoil shape optimization

   E. J. Adler, A. C. Gray, and J. R. R. A. Martins

   33rd Congress of the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences, 2022

   Details

2. High-fidelity Aerostructural Optimization with a Geometrically Nonlinear Flutter Constraint

   A. C. Gray, C. Riso, E. Jonsson, J. R. R. A. Martins, and C. E. S. Cesnik

   International Forum on Aeroelasticity and Structural Dynamics (IFASD 2022), 2022

   Details

3. High-Fidelity Gradient-Based Wing Structural Optimization Including a Geometrically Nonlinear Flutter Constraint

   E. Jonsson, C. Riso, B. B. Monteiro, A. C. Gray, J. R. R. A. Martins, and C. E. S. Cesnik

   AIAA SciTech Forum, 2022

   doi:10.2514/6.2022-2092

   Details

2021

1. Geometrically Nonlinear High-fidelity Aerostructural Optimization for Highly Flexible Wings

   A. C. Gray, and J. R. R. A. Martins

   Proceedings of the AIAA SciTech Forum, 2021

   doi:10.2514/6.2021-0283

   Details

Honors and Awards

• AIAA Jefferson Goblet Student Paper Award, Jan 2021
• Justus & Louise van Effen Research Grant, Jul 2019
• Institute of Mechanical Engineers Frederic Barnes Waldron Best Student Award, Jul 2017
• Institute of Mechanical Engineers Project Prize, Jul 2017
• Edinburgh University Year 5 Mechanical Engineering Class Medal, Jul 2017

Activities

I've spent countless hours helping design race cars for the Formula Student teams in both Edinburgh and Delft. Nowadays I spend my spare time playing squash and poorly recreating Bon Appétit recipes.