Aerodynamic design optimization of a non-lifting strut
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Date
2014-09-03
Authors
Veenendaal, Justin
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Abstract
A design engineer has a desire to obtain the best possible design configuration producing the most desirable result. This is especially true in designs involving aerodynamics. This thesis presents a way to design the optimum airfoil for a non-lifting strut-like application. This is achieved by combining the governing laws of aerodynamics with appropriate numerical models to simulate an inputted steady flow regime. By using a robust yet simple parameterization method to represent airfoils and by implementing a genetic algorithm, optimization is achieved and occurs in a timely manner. Performing the optimization across a range of flow fields and for struts in different applications also allows some trends to be deduced, thus providing valuable knowledge to design engineers.
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Keywords
optimization, aerodynamics, turbulence, parameterization