Aerodynamic Shape Optimization - Adjoint CFD Software

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Optimizing the aerodynamics of a design is crucial to increase downforce on race cars, improve lift of airplanes and drones and to reduce drag on road vehicles to cut emissions.
Before any optimization can start, an analysis of the existing aerodynamic performance needs to be performed as a benchmark. Once that data is available, there are two ways to improve aerodynamics:
Manual optimization
Experts with extended experience in the field of wind tunnel testing and/or simulations are able to translate measurement data into suggestions for design improvements. To validate the effect, these new designs need to be tested again in the tunnel or through CFD simulation. This type of optimization therefore typically requires quite a lot of resources (expensive experts, tunnels and software) and has a long throughput time.
Automated optimization
In automated methods, algorithms will automatically change (or "morph'") the design to improve a certain goal that was set up front (like less drag, more lift, ...). The methods will also use the benchmark simulation data to know in which direction the design should be moved. This information on how to morph a design is called a sensitivity map (the collection of local gradients).
Adjoint technique
The calculation of the sensitivity map typically takes thousands of full aerodynamic simulations (one for each point on the surface you want to modify). Using the adjoint technique, however, all these sensitivities can be analysed in a single simulation, drastically reducing the cost.
For a detailed video on how this technique works, visit:
airshaper.com/...
Such techniques are typically only available through expensive software packages and require a lot of expert input. At AirShaper, this technique has been automated and made available through a web interface.
How can this software help you?
Whatever industry you are from, our new software can optimize any application where drag, lift and downforce are relevant. So, whether you are an aeronautical designer, a major sport performance company or a small start-up specialising in electric mobility - AirShaper’s Aerodynamic Shape Optimization software can streamline your aerodynamic development processes. For more information, please visit:
airshaper.com/...
Disclaimer
The optimization shown in the video was an independent effort based on a 3D scan of a car provided by A2MAC1 and was not endorsed or approved by any manufacturer.
We much enjoy the collaboration with the PCOpt (Parallel CFD & Optimization Unit) at NTUA (National Technical University of Athens) to fine-tune our adjoint simulation settings.
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The AirShaper videos cover the basics of aerodynamics (aerodynamic drag, drag & lift coefficients, boundary layer theory, flow separation, reynolds number...), simulation aspects (computational fluid dynamics, CFD meshing, ...) and aerodynamic testing (wind tunnel testing, flow visualization, ...).
We then use those basics to explain the aerodynamics of (race) cars (aerodynamic efficiency of electric vehicles, aerodynamic drag, downforce, aero maps, formula one aerodynamics, ...), drones and airplanes (propellers, airfoils, electric aviation, eVTOLS, ...), motorcycles (wind buffeting, motogp aerodynamics, ...) and more!
For more information, visit www.airshaper.com

[@vimalkumarbharathib.r2651]

Excellent tech!

[@AirShaper]

Thanks Vimal!

[@paritoshgarg4910]

👍🏻

[@AirShaper]

Thanks Paritosh!