Efficient Reduced-Radial Basis Function-Based Mesh Deformation Within an Adjoint-Based Aerodynamic Optimization Framework

Mesh deformation schemes play an important role in numerical aerodynamic optimization. As the aerodynamic shape changes, the computational mesh must adapt to conform to the deformed geometry. This work presents an extension to an existing fast and robust radial basis function mesh movement scheme. Using a reduced set of surface points to define the mesh deformation increases the efficiency of the radial basis function method; however, it does so at the cost of introducing errors into the parameterization by not recovering the exact displacement of all surface points. A secondary mesh movement is implemented, within an adjoint-based optimization framework, to eliminate these errors. The mesh sensitivity is based on a combination of both the primary and secondary mesh movement schemes. The proposed scheme is demonstrated through three cases within a three-dimensional Euler flow: 1)the reduction of pressure drag at constant lift on the Onera M6 wing; 2) an inverse pressure design on the Onera M6; and 3) a drag minimization of the Boeing 747 wing-body aircraft.