Nowadays Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) is considered a common practice for complex engineering design problems. These design cases are characterized with high number of design variables and non-trivial design space. It contains multiple contradicting cost functions (Multi-Goal design problems) and various constraints, which are product of various discipline simulations.
Usage of MDO enables the solution of these design cases, while integrating different disciplines into a synergetic comprehensive design environment. Furthermore, using numerical optimization schemes, a methodical study of the complex design space is accomplished. Thus, the global optimum is searched while avoiding local minima areas.
A review of MDO principles will be given with emphasis on the implementation challenges and the benefits of using a state-of-the-art design framework, which at IAI is ESTECO modeFrontier.
Several design research cases will be discussed, such as:
- Design of rotating wing which searches for the optimum compromis between different flight regimes.
- Design case research of auxiliary power using (APU) chamber, which uses various disciplines such as heat transfer simulation, aerodynamic drag penalty, and internal flow models.
- Solar unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) conceptual design, which focuses on the energy balance between solar radiation, battery pack, and the airvehicle required operating power.
