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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 3 June 2022

Shuanbao Yao, Dawei Chen and Sansan Ding

The nose length is the key design parameter affecting the aerodynamic performance of high-speed maglev train, and the horizontal profile has a significant impact on the aerodynamic

Abstract

Purpose

The nose length is the key design parameter affecting the aerodynamic performance of high-speed maglev train, and the horizontal profile has a significant impact on the aerodynamic lift of the leading and trailing cars Hence, the study analyzes aerodynamic parameters with multi-objective optimization design.

Design/methodology/approach

The nose of normal temperature and normal conduction high-speed maglev train is divided into streamlined part and equipment cabin according to its geometric characteristics. Then the modified vehicle modeling function (VMF) parameterization method and surface discretization method are adopted for the parametric design of the nose. For the 12 key design parameters extracted, combined with computational fluid dynamics (CFD), support vector machine (SVR) model and multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MPSO) algorithm, the multi-objective aerodynamic optimization design of high-speed maglev train nose and the sensitivity analysis of design parameters are carried out with aerodynamic drag coefficient of the whole vehicle and the aerodynamic lift coefficient of the trailing car as the optimization objectives and the aerodynamic lift coefficient of the leading car as the constraint. The engineering improvement and wind tunnel test verification of the optimized shape are done.

Findings

Results show that the parametric design method can use less design parameters to describe the nose shape of high-speed maglev train. The prediction accuracy of the SVR model with the reduced amount of calculation and improved optimization efficiency meets the design requirements.

Originality/value

Compared with the original shape, the aerodynamic drag coefficient of the whole vehicle is reduced by 19.2%, and the aerodynamic lift coefficients of the leading and trailing cars are reduced by 24.8 and 51.3%, respectively, after adopting the optimized shape modified according to engineering design requirements.

Details

Railway Sciences, vol. 1 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2755-0907

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2006

M. Vázquez, A. Dervieux and B. Koobus

To propose an integrated algorithm for aerodynamic shape optimization of aircraft wings under the effect of aeroelastic deformations at supersonic regime.

Abstract

Purpose

To propose an integrated algorithm for aerodynamic shape optimization of aircraft wings under the effect of aeroelastic deformations at supersonic regime.

Design/methodology/approach

A methodology is proposed in which a high‐fidelity aeroelastic analyser and an aerodynamic optimizer are loosely coupled. The shape optimizer is based on a “CAD‐free” approach and an exact gradient method with a single adjoint state. The global iterative process yields optimal shapes in the at‐rest condition (i.e. with the aeroelastic deformations substracted).

Findings

The methodology was tested under different conditions, taking into account a combined optimization goal: to reduce the sonic boom production, while preserving the aerodynamic performances of flexible wings. The objective function model contains both aerodynamic parameters and an acoustic term based on the sonic boom downwards emission.

Practical implications

This paper proposes a shape optimization methodology developed by researchers but aiming at the final strategic goal of creating tools that can be really integrated in design processes.

Originality/value

The paper presents an original loosely coupled method for the shape optimization of flexible wings in which recent and modern techniques are used at different levels of the global algorithm: the aerodynamic optimizer, the aeroelastic analyser, the shape parametrization and the objective function model.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 23 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 October 2018

Zhe Yuan, Shihui Huo and Jianting Ren

Computational efficiency is always the major concern in aircraft design. The purpose of this research is to investigate an efficient jig-shape optimization design method. A new…

Abstract

Purpose

Computational efficiency is always the major concern in aircraft design. The purpose of this research is to investigate an efficient jig-shape optimization design method. A new jig-shape optimization method is presented in the current study and its application on the high aspect ratio wing is discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the effects of bending and torsion on aerodynamic distribution were discussed. The effect of bending deformation was equivalent to the change of attack angle through a new equivalent method. The equivalent attack angle showed a linear dependence on the quadratic function of bending. Then, a new jig-shape optimization method taking integrated structural deformation into account was proposed. The method was realized by four substeps: object decomposition, optimization design, inversion and evaluation.

Findings

After the new jig-shape optimization design, both aerodynamic distribution and structural configuration have satisfactory results. Meanwhile, the method takes both bending and torsion deformation into account.

Practical implications

The new jig-shape optimization method can be well used for the high aspect ratio wing.

Originality/value

The new method is an innovation based on the traditional single parameter design method. It is suitable for engineering application.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 91 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 December 2022

Xuesong Wang, Jinju Sun, Ernesto Benini, Peng Song and Youwei He

This study aims to use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to understand and quantify the overall blockage within a transonic axial flow compressor (AFC), and to develop an…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to understand and quantify the overall blockage within a transonic axial flow compressor (AFC), and to develop an efficient collaborative design optimization method for compressor aerodynamic performance and stability in conjunction with a surrogate-assisted optimization technique.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantification method for the overall blockage is developed to integrate the effect of regional blockages on compressor aerodynamic stability and performance. A well-defined overall blockage factor combined with efficiency drives the optimizer to seek the optimum blade designs with both high efficiency and wide-range stability. An adaptive Kriging-based optimization technique is adopted to efficiently search for Pareto front solutions. Steady and unsteady numerical simulations are used for the performance and flow field analysis of the datum and optimum designs.

Findings

The proposed method not only remarkably improves the compressor efficiency but also significantly enhances the compressor operating stability with fewer CFD calls. These achievements are mainly attributed to the improvement of specific flow behaviors oriented by the objectives, including the attenuation of the shock and weakening of the tip leakage flow/shock interaction intensity.

Originality/value

CFD-based design optimization of AFC is inherently time-consuming, which becomes even trickier when optimizing aerodynamic stability since the stall margin relies on a complete simulation of the performance curve. The proposed method could be a good solution to the collaborative design optimization of aerodynamic performance and stability for transonic AFC.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 33 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 January 2015

Giovanni Droandi and Giuseppe Gibertini

The purpose of this paper is to present the aerodynamic blade design of a tiltwing aircraft with a multi-objective optimization procedure. The aerodynamic design of tiltrotor…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the aerodynamic blade design of a tiltwing aircraft with a multi-objective optimization procedure. The aerodynamic design of tiltrotor blades is a very challenging task in the project of this type of aircraft.

Design/methodology/approach

Tiltrotor blades have to give good performance both in helicopter and aeroplane modes. According to the design parameters (the chords, the twists and the airfoils along the blade), as the optimization objectives are different from one operating condition to another, the blade is the result of a multi-objective constrained optimization based on a controlled elitist genetic algorithm founded on the NSGA-II algorithm. The optimization process uses a BEMT solver to compute rotor performance. To avoid negative effects due to compressibility losses in aeroplane mode, the blade shape has been refined following the normal Mach number criterion.

Findings

It has been found that the optimized rotor blade gives good performance both in terms of figure of merit and propulsive efficiency if compared with experimental data of existing rotor (ERICA tiltrotor) and propeller (NACA high-speed propeller).

Practical implications

The optimization procedure described in this paper for the design of tiltrotor blades can be efficiently used for the aerodynamic design of helicopter rotors and aircraft propellers of all typology.

Originality/value

In this work, advanced methodologies have been used for the aerodynamics design of a proprotor optimized for an aircraft which belongs to the innovative typology of high-performance tiltwing tiltrotor aircraft.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, vol. 87 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 December 2020

Xing Xie, Zhenlin Li, Baoshan Zhu and Hong Wang

This study aims to complete the optimization design of a centrifugal impeller with both high aerodynamic efficiency and good structural machinability.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to complete the optimization design of a centrifugal impeller with both high aerodynamic efficiency and good structural machinability.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the design parameters were derived from the blade loading distribution and the meridional geometry in the impeller three-dimensional (3D) inverse design. The blade wrap angle at the middle span surface and the spanwise averaged blade angle at the blade leading edge obtained from inverse design were chosen as the machinability objectives. The aerodynamic efficiency obtained by computational fluid dynamics was selected as the aerodynamic performance objective. Then, using multi-objective optimization with the optimal Latin hypercube method, quadratic response surface methodology and the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm, the trade-off optimum impellers with small blade wrap angles, large blade angles and high aerodynamic efficiency were obtained. Finally, computational fluid dynamics and computer-aided manufacturing were performed to verify the aerodynamic performance and structural machinability of the optimum impellers.

Findings

Providing the fore maximum blade loading distribution at both the hub and shroud for the 3D inverse design helped to promote the structural machinability of the designed impeller. A straighter hub coupled with a more curved shroud also facilitated improvement of the impeller’s structural machinability. The preferred impeller was designed by providing both the fore maximum blade loading distribution at a relatively straight hub and a curved shroud for 3D inverse design.

Originality/value

The machining difficulties of the designed high-efficiency impeller can be reduced by reducing blade wrap angle and enlarging blade angle at the beginning of impeller design. It is of practical value in engineering by avoiding the follow-up failure for the machining of the designed impeller.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 38 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 May 2017

Yalin Pan, Jun Huang, Feng Li and Chuxiong Yan

The purpose of this paper is to propose a robust optimization strategy to deal with the aerodynamic optimization issue, which does not need a large sum of information on the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a robust optimization strategy to deal with the aerodynamic optimization issue, which does not need a large sum of information on the uncertainty of input parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

Interval numbers were adopted to describe the uncertain input, which only requires bounds and does not necessarily need probability distributions. Based on the method, model outputs were also regarded as intervals. To identify a better solution, an order relation was used to rank interval numbers.

Findings

Based on intervals analysis method, the uncertain optimization problem was transformed into nested optimization. The outer optimization was used to optimize the design vector, and inner optimization was used to compute the interval of model outputs. A flying wing aircraft was used as a basis for uncertainty optimization through the suggested optimization strategy, and optimization results demonstrated the validity of the method.

Originality/value

In aircraft conceptual design, the uncertain information of design parameters are often insufficient. Interval number programming method used for uncertainty analysis is effective for aerodynamic robust optimization for aircraft conceptual design.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 89 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 November 2020

Hyoung Seog Chung, Seung Pil Kim and Younseok Choi

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new approach of using additively manufactured parametric models in the wind tunnel test-based aerodynamic shape optimization (ASO…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new approach of using additively manufactured parametric models in the wind tunnel test-based aerodynamic shape optimization (ASO) framework and to present its applicability test results obtained from a realistic aircraft design problem.

Design/methodology/approach

For aircraft shape optimization, the following three methodologies were used. First, as a validation study, the possibility of using rapid prototyping (RP) model in the wind tunnel test was verified. Second, through the wind tunnel test-based ASO, the application and feasibility of the real fighter aircraft shape optimization were verified. A generic fighter configuration is parameterized to generate various test models using additive manufacturing. Wind tunnel tests are conducted to measure their stability criteria in high angle of attack (AOA). Finally, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study was performed and analysis procedures, costs and results compared to the wind tunnel test were compared and reviewed.

Findings

RP technology can significantly reduce the time and cost of generating parametric wind tunnel models and can open up new possibilities for wind tunnel tests to be used in the rigorous aerodynamic design loop. There was a slight difference between the results of the RP model and the metallic model because of rigidity and surface roughness. However, the tendency of the aerodynamic characteristics was very similarly predictable. Although there are limitations to obtaining precise aerodynamic data, it is a suitable method to be applied to comparative studies on various shapes with large geo-metric changes in the early phase of design. The CFD analysis indicates that the wind tunnel-based ASO using the RP model shows the efficiency corresponding to the CFD shape optimization.

Research limitations/implications

The RP parametric models may have various assembly error sources and rigidity problems. The proposed methodology may not be suitable for collecting the accurate aerodynamic database of a final design; rather, the methodology is more suitable to screen out many configurations having fairly large shape variation in the early stage of the design process.

Practical implications

The wind tunnel test-based ASO can replace or supplement CFD-based ASO. In areas where CFD accuracy is low, such as high AOA flight characteristics, RP model wind tunnel-based ASO can be a research method that can secure both efficiency and accuracy advantages, providing ten times more effective in terms of cost and time. The wind tunnel test is used to obtain aerodynamic data at the final stage of shape design. It can be extended to a comparative study of several shapes in the early design phase. This procedure can be applied for both industrial level and educational aircraft design activities.

Originality/value

This study is the application to be applied as a parametric study on the whole aircraft, rather than using the RP model applying a simple partial control surface or configuration change of a part of the wing. The possibility of using the RP model was confirmed by comparing and verifying each other in a medium-sized wind tunnel using a relatively large RP model and a metallic model. It was verified that it can be applied in the shape design process, not the shape verification in the traditional design procedure, and a comparison with the CFD method was also performed. With further development and validation efforts, the new design framework may become an industrial standard for future aircraft development.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 27 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 May 2022

Burak Dam, Tolga Pirasaci and Mustafa Kaya

Environmental and operational restrictions increasingly drive modern aircraft design due to the growing impact of global warming on the ecology. Regulations and industrial…

Abstract

Purpose

Environmental and operational restrictions increasingly drive modern aircraft design due to the growing impact of global warming on the ecology. Regulations and industrial measures are being introduced to make air traffic greener, including restrictions and environmental targets for aircraft design that increase aerodynamic efficiency. This study aims to maximize aerodynamic efficiency by identifying optimal values for sweep angle, taper ratio, twist angle and wing incidence angle parameters in wing design while keeping wing area and span constant.

Design/methodology/approach

Finding optimal wing values by using gradient-based and evolutionary algorithm methods is very time-consuming. Therefore, an artificial neural network-based surrogate model was developed. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses were carried out by using Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations to create a properly trained data set using a feedforward neural network.

Findings

The results showed how a wing could be optimized by using a CFD-based surrogate model. The two optimum results obtained resulted in increases of 10.7397% and 10.65% in the aerodynamic efficiency of the baseline design ONERA M6 wing.

Originality/value

The originality of this study lies in the combination of sweep angle, taper ratio, twist angle and wing incidence angle within the scope of wing optimization calculations.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 94 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 September 2022

Fernando Tejero, David MacManus, Josep Hueso-Rebassa, Francisco Sanchez-Moreno, Ioannis Goulos and Christopher Sheaf

Aerodynamic shape optimisation is complex because of the high dimensionality of the problem, the associated non-linearity and its large computational cost. These three aspects…

Abstract

Purpose

Aerodynamic shape optimisation is complex because of the high dimensionality of the problem, the associated non-linearity and its large computational cost. These three aspects have an impact on the overall time of the design process. To overcome these challenges, this paper aims to develop a method for transonic aerodynamic design with dimensionality reduction and multifidelity techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

The developed methodology is used for the optimisation of an installed civil ultra-high bypass ratio aero-engine nacelle. As such, the effects of airframe-engine integration are considered during the optimisation routine. The active subspace method is applied to reduce the dimensionality of the problem from 32 to 2 design variables with a database compiled with Euler computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations. In the reduced dimensional space, a co-Kriging model is built to combine Euler lower-fidelity and Reynolds-averaged Navier stokes higher-fidelity CFD evaluations.

Findings

Relative to a baseline aero-engine nacelle derived from an isolated optimisation process, the proposed method yielded a non-axisymmetric nacelle configuration with an increment in net vehicle force of 0.65% of the nominal standard net thrust.

Originality/value

This work investigates the viability of CFD optimisation through a combination of dimensionality reduction and multifidelity method and demonstrates that the developed methodology enables the optimisation of complex aerodynamic problems.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 33 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

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