Viscous single and multicomponent airfoil design with genetic algorithms

An optimization procedure aimed at the design of multicomponent airfoils fo r high-lift applications is described. The procedure is based on a multiobj ective genetic algorithm; two flow solvers have been coupled with the genet ic algorithm: a viscous-inviscid interaction method, based on an Euler flow solver and an integral boundary layer routine, and a method based on a ful l potential flow solver. The first model is used for high-lift configuratio ns, whereas the second is used to optimize transonic performances for cruis e configurations. The applications described include both single and multio bjective design of a high-lift multicomponent airfoil, and a multipoint des ign where the transonic and high-lift requirements are taken into account s imultaneously. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.