Coupled analytical sensitivity analysis and optimization of three-dimensional nonlinear aeroelastic systems

We consider the problem of optimizing for steady-state conditions a given n onlinear aeroelastic system, by varying both aerodynamic and structural par ameters. We model the structure by finite elements and predict the aerodyna mic loads by a three-dimensional finite volume approximation of the Euler e quations. We present a complete optimization methodology whose key componen ts are a computer aided geometric design method for representing the design , an analytical approach for sensitivity analysis, a gradient-based optimiz ation algorithm and two staggered schemes for evaluating the aeroelastic. r esponses and solving the coupled sensitivity equations. We illustrate our m ethodology and demonstrate its potential with various aeroelastic optimizat ions of idealized and builtup wing structures.