Structural Optimization and Design of a Strut-Braced Wing Aircraft Amir H. Naghshineh-Pour Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering Rakesh K. Kapania, Chair Joseph A. Schetz William H. Mason Eric R. Johnson November 30, 1998 Blacksburg, Virginia Keywords: Aircraft Design, Multidisciplinary Design Optimization, Structural Optimization, Strut-Braced Wing, Wing Box Copyright © 1998, Amir H. Naghshineh-Pour