Risk Measures Applied to Robust Aerodynamic Shape Design Optimization

Abstract

A Robust Design Optimization (RDO) method based on the use of Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) risk measure is briefly described and applied to an aerodynamic shape design problem. The technique leads to optimal design solutions resilient to production tolerances and operating conditions instabilities. The approach is illustrated through the application to an airfoil section design optimization in low transonic conditions with the flow field modeled using an Euler plus boundary layer interactive approach. The results of the robust design are compared to those obtained with a classical deterministic method, and mutual advantages and disadvantages of the two approaches are discussed.