Applications of multi-block CST method for quasi-waverider design

Abstract

It improves efficiency and accuracy for aerodynamic shape optimization to apply parameterization technique with fewer parameters and high fidelity. Class and shape transformation (CST) is a concise and efficient method, nevertheless, it’s difficult to parameterize complicated configurations with unified CST method. This article presents multi-block CST method after analyzing mathematical description of the method, and this method connects adjacent surfaces smoothly as well as retains good properties of CST method. Modeling cases show that it can reduce the number of design variables to represent surface on which curvature distribution is not even, and it can also model the different classes of surfaces smoothly. Aerodynamic shape optimization system is built based on the multi-block CST method, genetic algo-rithms and hypersonic aerodynamic force engineering calculations, and aerodynamic characteristics of a quasi-waverider wing-body vehicle have improved significantly after optimization. The study shows that multi-block CST method with fewer design variables and higher fidelity extends application of CST method dramatically.