Variable-Complexity Response Surface Design of an
HSCT Configuration
ICASE/LaRC Workshop on Multidisciplinary Design
Optimization
13-16 March 1995
Hampton, Virginia
Anthony A. Giunta, Vladimir Balabanov, Matthew Kaufman,
Susan Burgee,
Bernard Grossman, Raphael T. Haftka, William H. Mason,
and Layne T. Watson
Abstract
A variable-complexity response surface methodology has been applied to
the multidisciplinary design of a High-Speed Civil Transport (HSCT).
The term variable-complexity refers to a design procedure in which
refined, computationally expensive analysis techniques are combined with
simple, computationally inexpensive techniques. We have used the simple
analysis methods to define a subregion of the design space in which an
optimal HSCT design is likely to exist. The refined analysis methods were
then used to construct smooth response surface models of various
aerodynamic and structural weight quantities. Aerodynamic response surface
models were constructed for volumetric wave drag and supersonic drag due to
lift based on an example problem involving four HSCT wing design variables.
Optimization was then performed for the complete HSCT configuration using
the aerodynamic response surface models. Preliminary research on the
development of a structural response surface model for the wing bending
material weight is also described. In addition to the results for the
variable-complexity response surface modeling and optimization, performance
data are presented for a coarse grained parallelization of the aerodynamic
and structural analyses.
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knill@aoe.vt.edu