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Discrete adjoint approach for aeroelastic design optimization

Publication ,  Conference
Thomas, JP; Dowell, EH
Published in: AIAA AVIATION 2014 -15th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference
January 1, 2014

Using aeroelastic flutter geometric design sensitivities provided by a recently developed discrete adjoint aeroelastic solver, the shape of a NLR 7301 airfoil section is optimized to increase flutter onset velocity for a benchmark transonic aeroelastic configuration. Two optimization approaches have been tested. In the first approach, the individual coordinates of the airfoil shape profile definition are allowed to move. The discrete adjoint aeroelastic solver provides the gradient of the flutter reduced velocity with respect to changes in the position of each point of the airfoil definition for the cost of a single adjoint solution. This gradient information is supplied to a limited memory BFGS optimization solver, which then determines new airfoil coordinates that maximize flutter reduced velocity. We have found this approach leads to wavy shaped airfoil profiles that exhibit nonphysical flow solutions. For the second approach to optimization, the airfoil surface is mathematically curve fit using a recently developed airfoil parameterization technique referred to as the intuitive class/shape function transformation (iCST) method. The aeroelastic adjoint solver then provides the gradient of the flutter reduced velocity with respect to the parameters ofiCST method, which the limited memory BFGS solver then uses for airfoil shape optimization. We have found this approach to optimization leads to much smoother airfoil shape profiles. A 17% percent increase in flutter onset velocity is demonstrated for one configuration.

Duke Scholars

Published In

AIAA AVIATION 2014 -15th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference

ISBN

9781624102837

Publication Date

January 1, 2014
 

Citation

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Thomas, J. P., & Dowell, E. H. (2014). Discrete adjoint approach for aeroelastic design optimization. In AIAA AVIATION 2014 -15th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference.
Thomas, J. P., and E. H. Dowell. “Discrete adjoint approach for aeroelastic design optimization.” In AIAA AVIATION 2014 -15th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference, 2014.
Thomas JP, Dowell EH. Discrete adjoint approach for aeroelastic design optimization. In: AIAA AVIATION 2014 -15th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference. 2014.
Thomas, J. P., and E. H. Dowell. “Discrete adjoint approach for aeroelastic design optimization.” AIAA AVIATION 2014 -15th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference, 2014.
Thomas JP, Dowell EH. Discrete adjoint approach for aeroelastic design optimization. AIAA AVIATION 2014 -15th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference. 2014.

Published In

AIAA AVIATION 2014 -15th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference

ISBN

9781624102837

Publication Date

January 1, 2014