TRANSONIC AIRFOIL DESIGN BY CONSTRAINED OPTIMIZATION

AN aerodynamic design method is developed which couples flow analysis and numerical optimization to find an airfoil shape with improved aero dynamic performance. The flow analysis code is based on the coupled Eu ler and boundary-layer equations in order to include the rotational, v iscous physics of transonic flows. The numerical optimization process searches for the best feasible design for the specified design objecti ve and design constraints. The method is demonstrated with several exa mples at transonic flow conditions.