Generic Modal Design Variables for Efficient Aerodynamic Optimization

Orthogonal modes are an effective method for aerodynamic shape optimization due to their excellent design space compactness; however, all existing methods generated from a database of representative geometry. Moreover, application high-fidelity spaces is not possible because high-frequency components insufficiently bounded, leading nonsmooth and oscillatory geometries. In this work, new generic methodology generating orthogonal presented based on purely geometric derivation, eliminating the need training data. The further development gradient-limiting developed previously constraining in geometrically meaningful way reduce degrees freedom improve convergence rate final result. Here, reformulated by transforming constraints directly onto variables produce with equivalent ensuring smooth valid iterates. requires no data, can be applied arbitrary topologies using different boundary conditions, naturally includes translational as part basis. When two standard test cases, has superior performance compared library-derived modes. Importantly, independent number variables, optimized objective at high fidelities greatly improved avoiding local minima corresponding spurious A nonstandard case demonstrated, which traditional library useable nontrivial topology, it shown benefit mode made novel methodology.