A surrogate-based integrated framework for the aerodynamic design optimization of a subsonic wing planform shape

Abstract

Due to the development in computer technology, computational simulations have become indispensable for most engineering system design processes, particularly in aerospace applications. Performing a simulation-driven aerodynamic design optimization is a challenging task due to the computational expensiveness of high fidelity models, the considerable number of design parameters, the variety of disciplines that must be considered… etc. In this paper, the preliminary design of an aircraft wing through the use of a fully automated design environment, coupled with surrogate-based optimization, is presented. A parametric modeling framework was developed based on the seamless integration of several commercial software through built-in scripting languages. The design process goes through geometry modeling, Aerodynamic grid generation and flow solution which involves SIEMENS NX, ICEM CFD and FLUENT respectively. The optimization is made feasible using surrogate modeling techniques combined with a Sequential Quadratic Programing (SQP) algorithm.