Three-dimensional aerodynamic shape optimization using discrete sensitivity analysis

The development of an efficient and practical three-dimensional design procedure based on discrete sensitivity analysis and capable of handling large numbers of design variables is reported. The function of sensitivity analysis is to directly couple computational fluid dynamics with numerical optimization techniques, which facilitates the development of efficient direct-design methods. The Euler fluid equations are solved using a fully implicit unfactored algorithm. This new procedure is applied toward the design of three-dimensional transport wings in transonic flow A wing geometry model that is totally based on two- and three-dimensional Bezier-Bernstein parameterizations is described. Two wing design cases are presented; one case illustrates the procedure's suitability to preliminary design, and the other demonstrates its ability to produce realistic optimal shapes, even when starting from very elementary initial geometries.