Mesh Movement for a Discrete-Adjoint Newton-Krylov Algorithm for Aerodynamic Optimization

Abstract

A grid movement algorithm based on the linear elasticity method with multiple increments is presented. The methodisrelativelycomputationallyexpensivebutisexceptionallyrobust,producinghigh-qualityelementsevenfor large shape changes. It is integrated with an aerodynamic shape optimization algorithm that uses an augmented adjoint approach for gradient calculation. The discrete-adjoint equations are augmented to explicitly include the sensitivities of the mesh movement, resulting in an increase in efficiency and numerical accuracy. This gradient computation method requires less computational time than a function evaluation and leads to significant computational savings as dimensionality is increased. The results of the application of these techniques to several large deformation and optimization cases are presented.