NERONE: An Open-Source Based Tool for Aerodynamic Transonic Optimization of Nonplanar Wings

Abstract

Transonic shape optimization of nonplanar wings is a relevant topic in current aeronautical world. Although widely studied, an appropriate level of robustness and automation is still lacking for the inclusion of aerodynamic shape optimization in a Multi-Disciplinary Optimization (MDO) process. In this paper, a new framework, opeNsource-mEsh-geneRation-fOr-aerodyNamic-Evaluations (NERONE), is presented that allows for an automatic transonic shape optimization process within an MDO loop design using open-source libraries, namely OpenCasCade (OCC) for the geometric description, GMSH for grid generation and SU2 multi-physics for aerodynamic analysis and optimization. Wing geometry is defined in the CPACS standard, converted to a mathematical continuous description (NURBS) and passed to the mesher. Grid generation process is driven by user-defined mesh dimensions defined on wing regions and on support domain boundary surfaces. The aerodynamic analysis and optimization are then launched on the obtained grid. SU2 software has been augmented to overcome robustness issues regarding point-inversion algorithm and to control geometric quality during optimization of nonplanar wings. Capability of NERONE is first demonstrated for 2D Euler and RANS simulations (on the RAE2822 airfoil) and on a 3D Euler case (ONERA M6). With very few user-specified parameters, high-quality grids are obtained providing results that correlate well with the literature data. Finally, NERONE is applied to the local shape optimization of a wing–winglet configuration in transonic flight conditions.