This conference paper was submitted for presentation at the NAFEMS World Congress 2025, held in Salzburg, Austria from May 19–22, 2025.

Abstract

The paper presents the methodology for investigating wing geometry within the late stages of aircraft design, addressing two common problems: optimization of the geometry to improve its aerodynamic characteristics and iterative search of the deformed shape to refine the values of external loads. Both problems involve numerous identical computational fluid dynamics (CFD) or finite element analysis (FEA) simulations, which traditionally require manual preparation at each iterative step. To exclude the human from the loop, the solution of the problems is implemented in the form of automated workflows where engineers only need to submit initial files in a predefined format and review the final results. Such approach allows to easily repeat the study in case of changes in the problem statement, minimizes the human error factor by automating the data flow and permits the persons who have less experience with the simulation tools to obtain the same results. The first challenge focuses on minimizing drag force while maintaining lift force by adjusting the twist distribution along the wing. Such study in the form of optimization workflow may be performed in various statements, including the multiple flight regimes combined. The second one addresses the iterative interaction between aerodynamic and structural analyses. In this case, the wing is considered deformable, meaning that the force factors obtained from aerodynamic simulation can alter wing geometry. Structural analysis is used to estimate these deformations. But, since geometry has changed, aerodynamic analysis must be rerun to correctly determine the forces acting on the wing. As this process is nonlinear, it is repeated iteratively until the changes between steps become negligible. Since the second problem involves multidisciplinary analysis, including both structural and fluid dynamics, it typically requires collaboration among multiple specialists. This paper also explores how to address the management of simulation processes and data transfer challenges between different departments involved in such analyses. The approaches described in this paper can be adapted to various geometry parameterization techniques, load scenarios, and simulation software.