Aerodynamic optimization of an airfoil using gradient based method

A gradient based method is presented for optimization of an airfoil configuration. The flow is governed by two dimensional, compressible Euler equations. A finite volume code based on unstructured grid is developed to solve the equations. The procedure is carried out for optimizing an airfoil with initial configuration of NACA 0012. The...

Realistic high-lift design of transport aircraft by applying numerical optimization

The design activity within the EUROLIFT II project is targeted towards an improvement of the take-off performance of a generic transport aircraft configuration by a re-design of the trailing edge flap. The involved partners applied different optimization strategies as well as different types of flow solvers in order to cover a wide range of...

Characterization of aerodynamic performance of ducted wind turbines: A numerical study

The complex aerodynamic interactions between the rotor and the duct has to be accounted for the design of ducted wind turbines (DWTs). A numerical study to investigate the characteristics of flow around the DWT using a simplified duct–actuator disc (AD) model is carried out. Inviscid and viscous flow calculations are performed to understand...

Computational Method for Early-Stage Design Optimization of Naturally Ventilated Terminals

This thesis focuses on the development of a computational model for early-stage design decision support of naturally ventilated terminal structures. The model is developed in a parametric Rhino Grasshopper environment paired with Python coding and CFD analyses through OpenFOAM. Optimization of air distribution parameters is performed with...

A multi-disciplinary design optimization framework with integrated structural transformation for highly loaded radial turbines

The use of CFD-based optimizations is becoming a standard for turbomachinery design. Although the use of such optimizations can lead to great improvements of the machine performances, there are still several shortcomings in the common design procedure of turbomachines. In fact, this entails the optimization of the component shape, and only a...