Direct and flexible mesh contour coupling for airfoil optimisation

Abstract

Blade profiles are used in many technical systems, including in the use of wind and water energy, and in aviation and shipping. The shape of the airfoil contour has a crucial influence on the resulting forces at the cross-section around the airfoil. The optimisation tasks are characterised by an exceptionally large number and dynamics of the influencing parameters. These are generated by a combined flow-related and structural mechanical simulation. The current research presented here takes up these core elements of the shaping processes and makes them more flexible and transparent than conventional design methodologies. The aim is to improve the design process through a direct and flexible mesh-contour coupling in such a way that the resulting shape change can be directly correlated to the initiating characteristic flow variable. The integration of the FEMSeq method enables the optimal distribution and reduction of the material without causing a failure of the overall structure.