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Practical problems of numerical optimization in aerospace sciences

Jacek Mieloszyk (Institute of Aeronautics and Applied Mechanics, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland)

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology

ISSN: 0002-2667

Article publication date: 3 July 2017

389

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to apply numerical optimization to the aircraft design procedures applied in the airspace industry.

Design/methodology/approach

It is harder than ever to achieve competitive construction. This is why numerical optimization is becoming a standard tool during the design process. Although optimization procedures are becoming more mature, yet in the industry practice, fairly simple examples of optimization are present. The more complicated is the task to solve, the harder it is to implement automated optimization procedures. This paper presents practical examples of optimization in aerospace sciences. The methodology is discussed in the article in great detail.

Findings

Encountered problems related to the numerical optimization are presented. Different approaches to the solutions of the problems are shown, which have impact on the time of optimization computations and quality of the obtained optimum. Achieved results are discussed in detail with relation to the used settings.

Practical implications

Investigated different aspects of handling optimization problems, improving quality of the obtained optimum or speeding-up optimization by parallel computations can be directly applied in the industry optimization practice. Lessons learned from multidisciplinary optimization can bring industry products to higher level of performance and quality, i.e. more advanced, competitive and efficient aircraft design procedures, which could be applied in the industry practice. This can lead to the new approach of aircraft design process.

Originality/value

Introduction of numerical optimization methods in aircraft design process. Showing how to solve numerical optimization problems related to advanced cases of conceptual and preliminary aircraft design.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by The National Centre for Research and Development under grant No. PBS1/A6/14/2012, Polish Ministry of Science and Education under grant O N509 025836 and The National Centre of Science under grant 2011/01/N/ST8/07347.

Citation

Mieloszyk, J. (2017), "Practical problems of numerical optimization in aerospace sciences", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 89 No. 4, pp. 570-578. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-11-2016-0201

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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