Multidisciplinary shape optimization in aerodynamics and electromagnetics using genetic algorithms

A multiobjective multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) of two-dimensi onal airfoil is presented. In this paper, an approximation for the Pareto s et of optimal solutions is obtained by using a genetic algorithm (GA). The first objective function is the drag coefficient. As a constraint it is req uired that the lift coefficient is above a given value. The CFD analysis so lver is based on the finite volume discretization of the inviscid Euler equ ations. The second objective function is equivalent to the integral of the transverse magnetic radar cross section (RCS) over a given sector. The comp utational electromagnetics (CEM) wave field analysis requires the solution of a two-dimensional Helmholtz equation which is obtained using a fictitiou s domain method. Numerical experiments illustrate the above evolutionary me thodology on an IBM SP2 parallel computer. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.