Development and assessment of a coupled strategy for conjugate heat transfer with Large Eddy Simulation: Application to a cooled turbine blade

Although Large Eddy Simulation (LES) is identified today as the most promising method for turbulent flow problems, few applications of LES coupled to heat transfer solvers in solids have been published. This paper describes a coupling strategy of a LES solver and a heat transfer code within solids on parallel architectures. The numerical methods used in both solvers are briefly recalled before discussing the coupling strategy in terms of physical quantities to exchange (fluxes and temperatures), stability and parallel efficiency. The stability study is performed using an amplification matrix analysis on a one-dimensional case and allows the determination and optimization of coupling parameters. The coupled tool is then applied to a cooled turbine blade model where results demonstrate both the efficiency of the parallel implementation and the quality of the results. Coupled and non-coupled simulations are compared to experimental results and discussed in terms of cooling efficiency and flow structures.     

Optimum shape and topology design using the boundary element method

A procedure is developed for simultaneous shape and topology design optimization of linear elastic two-dimensional continuum structures. An intuitive approach is presented to treat such topological problems whereby material is eliminated from within the structure (by introducing holes at regions of low stress) through a sequence of shape optimization processes. A mathematical programming technique coupled with the boundary element (BE) method of response and sensitivity analyses enables the optimal positioning of these holes plus optimization of the overall structural shape. The analytical derivative BE formulation is explained together with the use of appropriate design velocity fields, and example problems are solved to demonstrate the optimization procedure.     

考虑设计规范的海洋平台结构选型优化

针对具体海洋环境条件和生产要求，对导管架平台结构进行选型优化——拓扑布局与构件尺寸的联合优化，充分考虑设计规范的要求，建立多设计准则、多约束条件和多荷载工况的设计模型，其中环境荷载包括：风、浪、流、海冰从不同方向对平台的作用。通过结构选型优化获得最佳的结构拓扑布局形式，在降低平台造价的同时，设计出满足结构的稳定特性、安全寿命等多种设计准则的新型平台结构。     

SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS AND OPTIMIZATION OF COUPLED THERMAL AND FLOW PROBLEMS WITH APPLICATIONS TO CONTRACTION DESIGN

The finite element method and the Newton–Raphson solution algorithm are combined to solve the momentum, mass and energy conservation equations for coupled flow problems. Design sensitivities for a generalised response function with respect to design parameters which describe shape, material property and load data are evaluated via the direct differentiation method. The efficiently computed sensitivities are verified by comparison with computationally intensive, finite difference sensitivity approximations. The design sensitivities are then used in a numerical optimization algorithm to minimize the pressure drop in flow through contractions. Both laminar and turbulent flows are considered. In the turbulent flow problems the time-averaged momentum and mass conservati on equations are solved using a mixing length turbulence model.     

Shape optimization and its extension to topological design based on isogeometric analysis

In most of structural optimization approaches, finite element method (FEM) has been employed for structural response analysis and sensitivity calculation. However, the approaches generally suffer certain drawbacks. In shape optimization, cumbersome parameterization of design domain is required and time consuming remeshing task is also necessary. In topology optimization, design results are generally restricted on the initial design space and additional post-processing is required for communication with CAD systems. These drawbacks are due to the use of different mathematical languages in design or geometric modeling and numerical analysis: spline basis functions are used in design and geometric modeling whereas Lagrangian and Hermitian polynomials in analysis. Isogeometric analysis is a very attractive and promising alternative to overcome the limitations resulting from the use of the conventional FEM in structural optimization. In isogeometric analysis, the same spline information such as control points and spline basis functions which represent geometries in CAD systems are also used in numerical analysis. Such unification of the mathematical languages in CAD, analysis and design optimization can resolve the issues mentioned above. In this work, structural shape optimization using isogeometric analysis is studied on 2D and shell problems. The proposed framework is extended to topology optimization using trimming techniques. New inner fronts are introduced by trimming spline curves in topology optimization. Trimmed surface analysis which was recently proposed to analyze arbitrary complex topology problems is employed for topology optimization. Some benchmarking problems in shape and topology optimization are treated using the proposed approach.     

Segregated finite element algorithms for the numerical solution of large-scale incompressible flow problems

This paper presents results of an ongoing research program directed towards developing fast and efficient finite element solution algorithms for the simulation of large-scale flow problems. Two main steps were taken towards achieving this goal. The first step was to employ segregated solution schemes as opposed to the fully coupled solution approach traditionally used in many finite element solution algorithms. The second step was to replace the direct Gaussian elimination linear equation solvers used in the first step with iterative solvers of the conjugate gradient and conjugate residual type. The three segregated solution algorithms developed in step one are first presented and their integrity and relative performance demonstrated by way of a few examples. Next, the four types of iterative solvers (i.e. two options for solving the symmetric pressure type equations and two options for solving the non-symmetric advection–diffusion type equations resulting from the segregated algorithms) together with the two preconditioning strategies employed in our study are presented. Finally, using examples of practical relevance the paper documents the large gains which result in computational efficiency, over fully coupled solution algorithms, as each of the above two main steps are introduced. It is shown that these gains become increasingly more dramatic as the complexity and size of the problem is increased.     

跨音速翼型和机翼的气动优化设计

以NACA0012翼型和ONERA－M6机翼为基准,分别把可变误差多面体法（VEP）和遗传算法（GA）两种不同的优化方法与求解二维和三维欧拉方程的气动分析相结合,进行跨音速翼型和机翼的气动优化设计,并在其基础上对两种不同性质的优化方法在气动优化设计应用中的优化质量和计算效率进行比较,在优化设计的过程中,翼型通过解析函数线性叠加法来表示,机翼通过不变的翼型和可变的平面形状来表示,二维和三维欧拉方程采用Jamenson提出的有限体积方案,显式四步RungeKutta时间推进求解。     

A structural shape optimization system using the two-dimensional boundary contour method

Summary The research recently conducted has demonstrated that the Boundary Contour Method (BCM) is very competitive with the Boundary Element Method (BEM) in linear elasticity Design Sensitivity Analysis (DSA). Design Sensitivity Coefficients (DSCs), required by numerical optimization methods, can be efficiently and accurately obtained by two different approaches using the two-dimensional (2-D) BCM as presented in Refs. [1] and [2]. These approaches originate from the Boundary Integral Equation (BIE). As discussed in [2], the DSCs given by both BIE-based DSA approaches are identical, and thus the users can choose either of them in their applications. In order to show the advantages of this class of DSA in structural shape optimization, an efficient system is developed in which the BCM as well as a BIE-based DSA approach are coupled with a mathematical programming algorithm to solve optimal shape design problems. Numerical examples are presented. Received 20 July 1998; accepted for publication 7 December 1998     

Sampling-Based RBDO of Ship Hull Structures Considering Thermo-Elasto-Plastic Residual Deformation

We present a shape optimization method using a sampling-based RBDO method linked with a commercial finite element analysis (FEA) code ANSYS, which is applicable to residual deformation problems of the ship hull structure in welding process. The programming language ANSYS Parametric Design Language (APDL) and shell elements are used for the thermo-elasto-plastic analysis. The shape of the ship hull structure is modeled using the bicubic Ferguson patch and coordinate components of vertices, tangential vectors of boundary curves are selected as design variables. The sensitivity of probabilistic constraint is calculated from the probabilistic sensitivity analysis using the score function and Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) on the surrogate model constructed by using the Dynamic Kriging (DKG) method. The sequential quadratic programming (SQP) algorithm is used for the optimization. In two numerical examples, the suggested optimization method is applied to practical residual deformation problems in welding ship hull structures, which proves the sampling-based RBDO can be successfully utilized for obtaining a reliable optimum design in highly nonlinear multi-physics problem of thermo-elasto-plasticity.     

Application of dual kriging to structural shape optimization based on the boundary contour method

Summary The paper presents an approach in which the coupling of dual kriging and the boundary contour method (BCM) is applied to structural shape optimization problems in mechanical engineering design. The problems consist of optimizing the shape of an elastic body, which requires minimizing an objective function subject to some given constraints, such as those of displacement, stress or manufacturing. The originality of the present work is involved with the use of two novel methods that are combined here to solve structural shape optimization problems. The first one, called dual kriging, is a general, versatile interpolation and geometric modeling tool. The second one is a new variant of the boundary element method (BEM), called the BCM, which achieves a further reduction in dimensionality of analysis problems. Based on the advantages of these two methods, the coupling approach presented here is expected to offer an effective as well as a straightforward manner for solving shape optimal design problems. Received 18 December 1997; accepted for publication 21 April 1998     

基于CAD平台的周期性材料单胞的参数化形状优化设计方法

对于具有特定材料属性的周期性复合材料设计,提出了一种参数化的形状优化方法。对于带有周期性结构的两相材料,给定细观单胞结构的基本构型,通过参数化的实体造型技术,结合均匀化方法,实现了通用的材料单胞形状参数化设计方法,以获取指定材料性能。在参数化结构形状优化设计CAD/CAE集成平台POSHAPE上完成程序实现。文中算例给出了两相蜂窝型骨架复合材料和空心复合材料周期性单胞的零泊松比和指定参数性质的形状优化设计过程,并验证了本文方法的有效性。     

Design Sensitivity Analysis in Structural Mechanics. III. Effects of Shape Variation

The dependence of static response and eigenvalues on the shape of plates and plane elastic solids is characterized. Shape of elastic bodies is taken as the design variable. The material derivative idea of continuum mechanics is used to obtain expressions for directional derivatives of displacement fields and eigenvalues with respect to a transformation function that defines a shape variation. The result is used to obtain explicit and computable expressions for variations of integral functionals that arise in structural optimization problems.     

常微分方程技术及其在固体力学计算中的应用

常微分方程(ODE——Ordinary Differential Equation)边值问题的最新计算求解技术的迅速发展推出了一批高质高效的通用软件,而工程中大量的ODE问题并非呈现为这些求解器(Solver)所接受的标准形式。然而,运用一些简单的ODE变换技巧可以将大量的不同类型的特殊问题转化为标准形式。本文列举了若干常用的变换技巧,并广泛地应用于各种固体力学问题的计算中,使大量的ODE问题在形式上得到统一,得以用标准的ODE Solver方便有效地求解。     

结构拓扑优化中变量连接算法研究与软件实现Research and software implementation of variable connection algorithm for structural topology optimization

结构拓扑优化的变量连接,是通过对设计变量之间添加约束关系,从而得到特定的拓扑优化构型,使得优化结果能够满足工程上的特殊要求和工艺制造技术的限制。针对拓扑优化中的几类过滤形式及灵敏度分析,给出了考虑变量连接的计算公式;基于自主研发的SiPESC软件集成化平台,在SiPESC ．TOPO拓扑优化模块上进行二次开发,构建了拓扑优化的变量连接算法框架,其核心思想是基于面向对象设计方法和软件设计模式,实现算法与数据分离。详细阐述了变量连接的作用方式,以及软件框架通用接口设计方案,并通过数值算例验证了其在静力问题、动力问题和热传导问题上的可行性。     

Topological shape optimization of power flow problems at high frequencies using level set approach

Using a level set method we develop a topological shape optimization method applied to power flow problems in steady state. Necessary design gradients are computed using an efficient adjoint sensitivity analysis method. The boundaries are implicitly represented by the level set function obtainable from the “Hamilton–Jacobi type” equation with the “Up-wind scheme.” The implicit function is embedded into a fixed initial domain to obtain the finite element response and sensitivity. The developed method defines a Lagrangian function for the constrained optimization. It minimizes a generalized compliance, satisfying the constraint of allowable volume through the variations of implicit boundary. During the optimization, the boundary velocity to integrate the Hamilton–Jacobi equation is obtained from the optimality condition for the Lagrangian function. Compared with the established topology optimization method, the developed one has no numerical instability such as checkerboard problems and easy representation of topological shape variations.     

Demonstration of a coupled floating offshore wind turbine analysis with high-fidelity methods

This paper presents results of numerical computations for floating off-shore wind turbines using, as an example, a machine of 10-MW rated power. The aerodynamic loads on the rotor are computed using the Helicopter Multi-Block flow solver developed at the University of Liverpool. The method solves the Navier–Stokes equations in integral form using the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian formulation for time-dependent domains with moving boundaries. Hydrodynamic loads on the support platform are computed using the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics method, which is mesh-free and represents the water and floating structures by a set of discrete elements, referred to as particles. The motion of the floating offshore wind turbine is computed using a Multi-Body Dynamic Model of rigid bodies and frictionless joints. Mooring cables are modelled as a set of springs and dampers. All solvers were validated separately before coupling, and the results are presented in this paper. The importance of coupling is assessed and the loosely coupled algorithm used is described in detail alongside the obtained results.     

Design optimization for manufacturability of axisymmetric continuum structures using metamorphic development

In this study, optimal shapes/profiles of axisymmetric continuum structures optimized for performance and manufacturability are sought, using a topology/shape optimization method called metamorphic development (MD). The optimization seeks to find an optimum cross-sectional profile and minimum weight design, subjected to von-Mises stress constraints under coupled thermal and pressure loadings. Both quadrilateral and triangular finite elements (FE) were used to ‘metamorphically’ develop the structure. Two different design optimization approaches were taken, by defining a set of finite ‘restricted’ and ‘unrestricted’ design domains. Manufacturability of the optimized structures was considered. Prior to manufacturing, a post-optimization process was performed. A comparison was then performed for both sets of optimized solutions to demonstrate whether the ‘restricted’ design domain solution gave greater or lesser performance characteristics compared to the ‘unrestricted’ design domain solution which could only be manufactured by additive manufacturing technologies (AMT). The results of the optimization demonstrated the success of the MD method in generating practical design solutions which meet both performance requirements and manufacturing considerations.     

Performance of algebraic multi‐grid solvers based on unsmoothed and smoothed aggregation schemes

A comparison is made of the performance of two algebraic multi‐grid (AMG0 and AMG1) solvers for the solution of discrete, coupled, elliptic field problems. In AMG0, the basis functions for each coarse grid/level approximation (CGA) are obtained directly by unsmoothed aggregation, an appropriate scaling being applied to each CGA to improve consistency. In AMG1 they are assembled using a smoothed aggregation with a constrained energy optimization method providing the smoothing. Although more costly, smoothed basis functions provide a better (more consistent) CGA. Thus, AMG1 might be viewed as a benchmark for the assessment of the simpler AMG0. Selected test problems for D'Arcy flow in pipe networks, Fick diffusion, plane strain elasticity and Navier–Stokes flow (in a Stokes approximation) are used in making the comparison. They are discretized on the basis of both structured and unstructured finite element meshes. The range of discrete equation sets covers both symmetric positive definite systems and systems that may be non‐symmetric and/or indefinite. Both global and local mesh refinements to at least one order of resolving power are examined. Some of these include anisotropic refinements involving elements of large aspect ratio; in some hydrodynamics cases, the anisotropy is extreme, with aspect ratios exceeding two orders. As expected, AMG1 delivers typical multi‐grid convergence rates, which for all practical purposes are independent of mesh bandwidth. AMG0 rates are slower. They may also be more discernibly mesh‐dependent. However, for the range of mesh bandwidths examined, the overall cost effectiveness of the two solvers is remarkably similar when a full convergence to machine accuracy is demanded. Thus, the shorter solution times for AMG1 do not necessarily compensate for the extra time required for its costly grid generation. This depends on the severity of the problem and the demanded level of convergence. For problems requiring few iterations, where grid generation costs represent a significant penalty, AMG0 has the advantage. For problems requiring a large investment in iterations, AMG1 has the edge. However, for the toughest problems addressed (vector and coupled vector–scalar fields discretized exclusively using finite elements of extreme aspect ratio) AMG1 is more robust: AMG0 has failed on some of these tests. However, but for this deficiency AMG0 would be the preferred linear approximation solver for Navier–Stokes solution algorithms in view of its much lower grid generation costs. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

高速列车气动外形优化研究进展

随着运行速度的提升, 高速列车对气动外形的要求也越来越高, 追求性能优异、美观大方的气动外形是新型高速列车研发的一个重要方向. 基于当前高速列车外形研发的思路, 可以将气动外形优化概括为基于流场机理的改型优化和基于优化算法的外形优化两类. 本文简要回顾了当前国内外在这两类优化途径上的系列工作, 着重介绍了作者所在团队近年来做过的一系列气动外形优化工作. 在基于流场机理的改型优化上, 着重从"和谐号"和"复兴号"这两款主力车型的外形研发上探讨其改型优化的思路, 主要探讨了空调导流罩、受电弓平台、风挡和转向架裙板几类对列车阻力影响较为明显的部件的优化设计,并介绍了其相对于上一代车型在气动性能上的提升. 基于优化算法的外形优化方法,则因循气动外形优化流程, 在列车外形已经具有较好性能的基础上,以高速列车头型流线型为主要优化对象,分别从高速列车参数化方法、替代模型开发以及优化算法改进三个方面进行介绍.其中,高速列车参数化方法主要介绍了局部型函数法、修正车辆造型函数法和类别/形状函数法三类;替代模型开发介绍了最优化替代模型和基于交叉验证的Kriging模型; 在优化算法的改进上介绍了改进的非劣分类多目标粒子群算法和连续域混沌蚁群算法两方面的内容.基于上述三个方面介绍了气动外形优化策略在典型工程上的应用案例.