High Fidelity CFD/CSD Method For Rotor Blade Optimisation

Abstract

This paper introduces an innovative framework that leverages high-fidelity methods to design rotor blades, which aerospace engineers can use to improve overall airframe performance. A generalised blade surface parameterisation, which includes variations in twist, chord, sweep and anhedral, is applied to an initial rectangular blade to maintain a given thrust and reduce torque levels. Emphasis is placed on coupling aeroelasticity with the adjoint optimisation and trimming methods at desired flight conditions. Conclusions include the effect of including aeroelasticity in a sample blade design, and a discussion of the optimisation framework.