Shape Optimization of Airship Based on Constrained Particle Swarm Optimization

Abstract

This paper presents an optimized process of the shape of airships using a Constrained Particle Swarm Optimization (CPSO) algorithm from a parametric multidisciplinary perspective. The optimizational model is considered from the multidisciplinary approach such as the pneumatic, the structure and the strength of the airship, rather than the single disciplinary previously. Moreover, CPSO is first proposed to optimize the airship shape by optimizing the positions of the slenderness ratio in the continuous space. CPSO, as an evolutionary computation method, improves Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and adds a constraint condition so that it has the characteristics of random starting, parallel search and strong memorability. Our method, proved by experiment, has the great advantages of the fast convergence speed, the less parameter Settings and the easy achievement etc. The proposed pipeline is tested on a real case study and the comprehensive experimental results are shown to demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented approach.