Three-dimensional Parametric Shape Optimization Using Parallel Computers

The design software system described here is based on a combination of several software components. These components include optimization, physics-based analysis such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA) and supporting tools, and shape design parameterization. The optimization and CFD/FEA related codes, such as mesh generation and partitioning, can be considered that can be applied directly with no modifications to any passage design situation. In the current system the shape design parameterization on the other hand is considered problem-specific and different codes are needed for different design problems. In the near future it will be routine to employ a standard computer aided drafting (CAD) package as a black box parameterization code. In that case the user would simply need to write a driving script for different design situations. A key issue in the use of optimization with detailed 3-D analysis is that global multiobjective optimization methods will typically require hundreds or thousands of design. The design software system described here is based on a combination of several software components. These components include optimization, physics-based analysis such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA) and