Book Description
This paper explains why high resolution design spaces encourage traditional airfoil optimization algorithms to generate noisy shape modifications, which lead to inaccurate linear predictions of aerodynamic coefficients and potential failure of descent methods. By using auxiliary drag constraints for a simultaneous drag reduction at all design points and the least shape distortion to achieve the targeted drag reduction, an improved algorithm generates relatively smooth optimal airfoils with no severe off-design performance degradation over a range of flight conditions, in high resolution design spaces parameterized by cubic B-spline functions. Simulation results using FUN2D in Euler flows are included to show the capability of the robust aerodynamic shape optimization method over a range of flight conditions.Li, Wu and Padula, SharonLangley Research CenterHIGH RESOLUTION; SHAPE OPTIMIZATION; VARIATIONAL PRINCIPLES; PARAMETER IDENTIFICATION; ROBUSTNESS (MATHEMATICS); COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS; AIRFOILS; AERODYNAMIC COEFFICIENTS; DRAG REDUCTION; FLIGHT CONDITIONS; EULER EQUATIONS OF MOTION; LIFT; MULTIDISCIPLINARY DESIGN OPTIMIZATION; ALGORITHMS