Coupled Navier-Stokes and Optimizer Analysis of a Transonic Wing

One of the challenges of wing design is knowing how the geometric parameters affect the aerodynamics in a given flight regime. This study demonstrates the use of a numerical optimization routine to understand the significance of changing different geometric parameters, e.g., wing planform, on the aerodynamic characteristics, such as the lift-to-drag ratio (LID). A numerical optimization routine is integrated with a grid generator and a computational fluid dynamics Navier-Stokes flow solver. The geometric parameters studied are wing sweep, twist angle at the root, and twist angle at the tip. These geometric parameters are then analyzed to show how each one contributes to the LID performance of a wing. By using the developed tool to examine the characteristics of a transonic wing, the engineer can develop a better understanding of the related flow physics and design a better performing wing. The results of this paper show that proper optimization may require a series of local optimization and angle-of-attack adjustments