Gradient-based multi-disciplinary optimisation with CAD-based parametrisation, application to an aircraft winglet

基于梯度的方法对于高保真的形状优化是必不可少的，在使用伴随求解器计算CFD的导数方面已经取得了很大的进展，现在被广泛应用于航空航天设计中。形状的参数化仍然是一个瓶颈，因为计算CAD几何的形状梯度是具有挑战性的。小翼是机翼设计的重要组成部分，小翼的几何形状对整个机翼的气动性能以及机翼的结构设计都有很大的影响。优化的小翼设计需要在气动效率和结构重量之间进行仔细的权衡，这需要高保真的分析。该项目的目的是探索QMUL开发的各种形状参数化方法在应用于机翼-机身基准箱体小翼形状的多学科优化时的能力、效率和稳健性。流动和结构模拟采用空中客车公司的高保真CFD流动模拟等模拟工具，以及针对这种情况开发的简化结构模型。QMUL的CAD参数化工具将用于控制几何图形。

Gradient-based methods are essential for high-fidelity shape optimisation, great strides have been made in computing derivatives for CFD using adjoint solvers and are now widely used in aerospace design. Parametrisation of the shape remains a bottleneck, as computation of the shape gradients of CAD geometries is challenging. Winglets are an important part of wing design, the winglet geometry has a strong influence on the aerodynamics of the entire wing, as well as on the structural design of the wing. An optimal winglet design needs a careful trade-off of aerodynamic efficiency vs. structural weight, requiring high-fidelity analysis.The aim of the project is to explore the capability, efficiency and robustness of the various shape parametrisation approaches developed at QMUL when applied to the multi-disciplinary shape optimisation of the winglet of a wing-fuselage benchmark case. The flow and structure simulations are carried out with Airbus' simulation tools such as high-fidelity CFD flow simulations, as well as simplified structure models developed for this case. QMUL's CAD parametrisation tools will be used to control the geometry.