High-fidelity Aerodynamic Optimization Research Articles

Seamless morphing trailing edge flaps for UAS-S45 using high-fidelity aerodynamic optimization

The seamless trailing edge morphing flap is investigated using a high-fidelity steady-state aerodynamic shape optimization to determine its optimum configuration for different flight conditions, including climb, cruise, and gliding descent. A comparative study is also conducted between a wing equipped with morphing flap and a wing with conventional hinged flap. The optimization is performed by specifying a certain objective function and the flight performance goal for each flight condition. Increasing the climb rate, extending the flight range and endurance in cruise, and decreasing the descend rate, are the flight performance goals covered in this study. Various optimum configurations were found for the morphing wing by determining the optimum morphing flap deflection for each flight condition, based on its objective function, each of which performed better than that of the baseline wing. It was shown that by using optimum configuration for the morphing wing in climb condition, the required power could be reduced by up to 3.8% and climb rate increases by 6.13%. The comparative study also revealed that the morphing wing enhances aerodynamic efficiency by up to 17.8% and extends the laminar flow. Finally, the optimum configuration for the gliding descent brought about a 43% reduction in the descent rate.

WITHDRAWN: A robust and high-fidelity aerodynamic optimization design of truss-braced-wing aircraft with gradient-based method

WITHDRAWN: A robust and high-fidelity aerodynamic optimization design of truss-braced-wing aircraft with gradient-based method

Aerodynamic Optimization Trade Study of a Box-Wing Aircraft Configuration

This study investigates the aerodynamic tradeoffs of a box-wing aircraft configuration using high-fidelity aerodynamic optimization. A total of five optimization studies are conducted, where each study extends the previous one by progressively adding a combination of design variables and constraints. Examples of design variables include wing twist and sectional shape; examples of constraints include trim and stability requirements. In all cases, the objective is to minimize inviscid drag at a prescribed lift and a Mach number of 0.78. Aerodynamic functionals are evaluated based on the discrete solution of the Euler equations, which are tightly coupled with an adjoint methodology incorporating a gradient-based optimizer. For each study, an equivalent conventional tube-and-wing baseline is similarly optimized in order to enable direct comparisons. It is found that the transonic box-wing aircraft considered here, for which the height-to-span ratio is about 0.2, produces up to 43% less induced drag than its conventional counterpart. This larger than expected benefit is attributed to the unique capability of the box wing to redistribute its optimal lift distribution, as it enables trim and other constraints to be satisfied with almost no performance degradation. The impact of nonlinear aerodynamics on the box wing is explored further through a series of subsonic optimization studies.