Surrogate based design space exploration and exploitation for an efficient airfoil optimization under uncertainties using transition models

The pursuit of sustainable, zero-emission air travel is heavily dependent on the creation of energy-efficient aircraft. Key strategies for achieving this sustainability in aviation include reducing fuel consumption through low-drag designs harnessing laminar flow. However, designing aircraft with laminar flow characteristics is complex due to their sensitivity to environmental and operational factors. This study tackles the challenge of developing energy-efficient aircraft by using computational fluid dynamics models and sophisticated optimization techniques that account for uncertainty. Our approach demonstrates the effectiveness of surrogate-based optimization and uncertainty quantification in optimizing airfoil drag for a natural laminar airfoil (NLF) design. We use surrogate models, trained with data from detailed airfoil simulations, which include a boundary layer code coupled with a linear stability method and a newly developed transition transport model. Transition location predicted using transition models facilitate an accurate drag prediction used in the optimization process. The accuracy of these surrogate models is enhanced through active sampling strategies. Our robust optimization method considers uncertainties in environmental and operational conditions, offering a deeper insight into their effects on crucial design parameters. Unlike traditional deterministic aerodynamic design optimization, our findings highlight the efficacy and precision of uncertainty-based optimization in achieving robust NLF airfoil designs over large (exploration mode) and small (exploitation mode) design spaces. Investigating design space parameterization based on the size of design variables reveals significant differences in optimal airfoil configurations. The optimized designs we propose favor delayed transition, in contrast to deterministic designs which often result in significant loss of laminarity when facing uncertainties. This study represents a significant advancement in aerospace engineering, providing a practical and effective methodology for creating energy-efficient airfoil designs. The application of these advanced optimization and uncertainty quantification techniques shows great potential for the wider field of aerospace engineering, paving the way for more resilient and robust aircraft designs.