Optimization-Based Design In High-Speed Flows

The Sensitivity-Equation approach is implemented to determine sensitivity derivatives in the framework of aerodynamic optimization. Two shape-optimization problems are studied on both structured and unstructured meshes using an inflow design variable and two shape-design variables. The first is a perfect-gas, forebody-simulator optimization and the second is a finite-rate chemistry optimization maximizing the mass fraction of a species throughout the flow field. INTRODUCTION Recent advances in both computational efficiency and in physical-modeling capabilities have increased the utility of computational fluid dynamics in high-speed vehicle design. While these analysis tools are important, there is a growing need for tools that are crafted for the designer. That is, beyond knowing the aerodynamic characteristics of a current design, the designer wants to know how to change the design to improve the system's performance. Optimization-based design provides one approach to formulating th..