Multi-Point Aerodynamic Shape Optimization of Rotor Blades Using Unstructured Meshes

A multi-point aerodynamic shape optimization technique has been developed for helicopter rotor blades in hover based on a continuous adjoint method on unstructured meshes. The Euler flow solver and the continuous adjoint sensitivity analysis were formulated on the rotating frame of reference. The 'objective function and the sensitivity were obtained as a weighted sum of the values at each design point. The blade section contour was modified by using the Hicks-Henne shape functions. The mesh movement due to the blade geometry change was achieved by using a spring analogy. In order to handle the repeated evaluation of the design cycle efficiently, the flow and adjoint solvers were parallelized based on a domain decomposition strategy. A solution-adaptive mesh refinement technique was adopted for the accurate capturing of the wake. Applications were made to the aerodynamic shape optimization of the Caradonna-Tung rotor blades and the UH-60 rotor blades in hover.