INTERDISIPLINARY ASPECTS OF BOEING

787 DREAMLINER
Pepeto Eglesfield, Eilenne Loh, Alex Cotton, Alistair Bailey
The University of Sheffield

HUMAN FACTOR
CABIN
EXPERIENCE

INTRODUCTION
1. Cleaner Cabin Air
HEPA (high efficiency particulate air)
produce particle and odor free air.
HEPA filters are highly effective in
removing bacteria, viruses and fungi

The Boeing 787, a highly efficient

aircraft with cutting edge
technologies incorporated
throughout was introduced as a
replacement for the Boeing 767.
First proposed in 2003, and with
challenges and problems littered
along the way, the maiden test
flight of 787-9 which finally took
place in September 2013 was
ultimately deemed successful.

Figure 1 : Boeing 787 Dreamlinear

[1]

Figure 8 : Vertical Gust suppression data

COMPOSITE
STRUCTURE
By Weight
.

787

Composites

50%

12%

Aluminum

20%

50%

[2]

Figure 7 : Cabin air treatment

[2]

2. Ride Quality Smoother ride

Vertical Gust suppression uses
flaperons and elevators to counter
light to moderate turbulence to
improve ride quality
FLIGHT DECK
AVIONICS
Flight deck - allow pilots to fly the

777

new aircraft without feeling much

difference from other Boeing
aircrafts, thus less training hours
required.
[1]

Table 1 : Composition of Aluminum and composites in 787 and 777

[1]

The expanded use of composites, especially in the highly

tension-loaded environment of the fuselage, greatly
reduces maintenance due to fatigue when compared with
an aluminum structure

On-board Performance Tool:

1. Calculates limit weights,
speeds, thrust and more
2. Performance optimization and
flexibility
3. Simplified weight and balance

Figure 9 : Flight deck of 777 vs 787

Figure 2 : Composite materials used

Old appearance but

new underlying
technology

ENGINE
TECHNOLOGY
ADVANCMENT

[1]
Figure 10 : On board performance tool

High-flow low speed fan

Advanced materials and coatings
No engine bleed systems architecture
Figure 3 : Low noise nacelle with chevrons
Low noise nacelles with chevrons
Engine types are interchangeable at wing interface
Higher bypass ratio and higher pressure ratio compressor

[1]

Figure 4 : Two available engine types [2]

WING

Improved Fuel Quantity availabilitymeasuring sticks removed

Highly capable center tank fuel scavenge
system
Improved lateral balance correction
without need to turn off fuel pumps
Redundant jettison path of main tank fuel
Improved anti-ignition safety using all
tank Nitrogen inerting and compliance to
latest ignition prevention regulations

Use of composite materials in the wing allows higher aspect ratio

High aspect ratio and raked wing tips allows Mach 0.85 cruise speed
Actuated by Fly-by-wire . This control system eliminates wires, reduces
weight and improves functionality
Automatic optimization of wing configuration for lowest fuel consumption

FUEL SYSTEM
IMPROVEMENTS

[1]
Figure 12 : Fuel System on board

COMMON CORE
SYSTEM

The 787's central nervous system

1.Common Data Network : Fiber optic
ethernet that connects systems
2.Common Computing Resource : Includes
dual common computing resource (CCR)
cabinets that host processing and power
control modules (cards), along with network
switches. Application specific modules
(ASMs) can be installed.
3.Remote Data Concentrators:
Concentrate analog and digital signals reduces airplane wiring and thus weight

Figure 5 : 787 Wing Flex

Transonic wing design for improved speed and lift

Simplified high lift system that provides high performance and high
reliability at a reduced maintenance cost
Multi-disciplinary optimization for best combination of weight, drag
and engine performance
Tightly integrated packaging of systems to reduce size of
aerodynamic fairings for reduced weight and drag
Laminar flow nacelles
Variable camber trailing edge
NOISE CONTROL
Acoustically treated engine inlets
and high bypass ratio means
noise footprint of 787 is 60%
smaller than similarly sized
airplanes.
Figure 6 : Area affected by noise

[2]

Common
Computing
Resource

Common Data
Network

[1]

Figure 13 : Common core system

CREW INFORMATION
SYSTEM ONBOARD
HEALTH MANAGEMENT

[2]

ADVANCED
AERODYNAMICS

Remote Data
Concentrators

Objective: To reduce schedule interruptions and maintenance costs

1.Integrated data load and configuration reporting
2.Airplane level fault consolidation and correlation and data collection
3. Media-less data transfer to/from ground stations
4.Coordinated airplane and ground processing approach
5.Fault Prediction
6.Electronic link to maintenance manuals
ETHICAL ISSUES

1.The safety, comfort, and well-being of passengers are the

utmost responsibility.
2.Details that contribute to the safety of the aircraft are never
negligible, and operations must be performed in a meticulous
manner.
3.Never neglect environmental impact and sustainability
throughout operation.
4.Inform public in an objective and truthful manner
Images extracted from : [1] http://www.smartcockpit.com/docs/B787_Systems_and_Performance.pdf
[2] http://www.isasi.org/Documents/library/technical-papers/2011/Introducing-787.pdf
References:

1.http://www.smartcockpit.com/docs/B787_Systems_and_Performance.pdf
2. http://www.isasi.org/Documents/library/technical-papers/2011/Introducing-787.pdf
3. http://www.aviationtoday.com/av/commercial/Boeing-787-Integrations-Next-Step_932.html#.UyWZAvnV_JI