Vibrational genetic algorithm (VGA) and dynamic mesh in the optimization of 3D wing geometries

Abstract

The objective of this study is to combine dynamic mesh technique and heuristic algorithms [Vibrational Genetic Algorithm (VGA)] to improve aerodynamic design of a wing, in order to see the effect of thickness ratio constraint when it is taken into the design parameters, additionally to reduce the drag values as much as possible while holding the lift value fixed. To solve the flow field around the 3D models obtained during the optimization stages, the mesh required is generated by dynamic mesh technique. The code developed for this aim is robust and faster than the codes, which only produce mesh by classical techniques. Because the operating time of the code is very long, on account of our low capacity computer resources, parallel processing has been used. Obviously, the strategy applied here can be used for any slowly deforming complex geometries, as long as an effective combination of the genetic algorithm and dynamic mesh be succeeded. From the results, it is observed that the optimization process is working as expected. The inviscid drag was reduced by about 25%.