Viscous optimization of interacting lifting surfaces

Abstract

In this paper, the optimization of interacting lifting surfaces based on design of experiments (DoE) and response surface technique (RSA) is investigated. Response surfaces of the considered problem are generated through the use of high-fidelity two-dimensional Reynolds Average Navier-Stokes simulations. The large number of simulations necessary to populate response surfaces is obtained by using a newly developed automated simulation platform named ADONF. This platform integrate a RANS, URANS flow solver with an automated CAD and mesh generation algorithm and a panel of optimization tools which may be used to generate approximate response surfaces through design of experiments. To gain knowledge about the potential of these tools to resolve non linear fluid flow optimization problems, we have used this simulation environment to study a sailing yacht problem. The aerodynamic performance optimization of complex rigs composed by multiple interacting masts and sails has been investigated. This problem is a well known by sailors because of its crucial importance for high speed sailing yachts and has been a subject of debate and controversy since many years. A new look on this problem is proposed through viscous CFD with parametric and topological optimization. It is a preliminary two-dimensional study with a moderate design space size which will be extended to three dimensional problems and a larger design space size.