Aerodynamic shape optimisation technology is presented, comprising an efficient vari-able fidelity shape parameterisation method, an efficient and high quality mesh deformation scheme, and a parallel optimisation algorithm. The objective of the research presented here is the comparison of truly three-dimensional optimisations of aircraft wings in both aero-dynamic and aeroelastic environments. The novel shape parameterisation technique allows various fidelities of design para-meters, ranging from detailed surface changes to novel truly three-dimensional planform adjustments. An efficient interpolation scheme, using radial basis functions, transfers do-main element movements into direct deformations of the design surface and corresponding CFD mesh, thus allowing total independence from the grid generation package and type (structured or unstructured). Optimisation is independent from the CFD flow solver by obtaining sensitivity information for an advanced parallel gradient-based optimiser by finite-differences. This 'wrap-around' optimisation technique is applied to a modern large transport air-craft wing in the cruise flight condition for minimum drag with stringent constraints in lift, volume, and two root moments. The objective of all optimisations is aerodynamic, however the static aeroelastic deflection provided by an aeroelastic solver will give that particular optimisation increased accuracy and real world relevance. The result of a constrained inviscid aerodynamic optimisation is presented and has a significant reduction in drag when compared to the initial wing with no violation of any constraints. The shape parameterisation method demonstrates that only a low number of design variables are necessary to achieve innovative planform and surface geometries with dramatically improved performance.
展开▼
