Inverse design and optimization using CFD Conference

Dulikravich, GS, Dennis, BH. (2000). Inverse design and optimization using CFD .

cited authors

  • Dulikravich, GS; Dennis, BH

authors

abstract

  • Inverse shape design and shape design optimization are two basic algorithmic approaches to aerodynamic shape determination. Although widely used in industry, most inverse shape design methods require significant modifications to the existing proven flowfield analysis codes. One method for the inverse shape design that requires no such modifications, can use any available flow-field analysis code, and is applicable to arbitrary configurations is the surface elastic membrane concept. Its formulation that utilizes Fourier series and analytic solutions seems to be both computationally efficient and easy to program and use. Since inverse shape design provides only point solutions and does not extremize any objective quantity, it is rapidly becoming popular to use aerodynamic shape optimization methods. Only those optimization methods that are robust should be used since classical gradient based optimization algorithms are excessively time consuming for larger number of design variables, they are inapplicable to non-smooth objective function spaces, and tend to terminate in the nearest available local minimum. Thus, hybrid, semi-stochastic, and stochastic optimizers are becoming popular since they can handle several objectives simultaneously, can enforce several equality constraints, and can handle a large number of design variables. Practical examples of aerodynamic shape design of a shocked transonic wing, optimized multistage axial gas turbine, optimized linear airfoil cascade, multi-objective optimized linear airfoil cascade, and optimized external magnetic field in an example of a magneto-hydrodynamic diffuser illustrate the capabilities of these design methodologies. © ECCOMAS.

publication date

  • December 1, 2000

International Standard Book Number (ISBN) 10

International Standard Book Number (ISBN) 13