Variable Geometric Fidelity in Multidisciplinary Optimization

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Variable Geometric Fidelity in Multidisciplinary
Optimization
T.D. Robinson, Bob Haimes and Prof. Karen Willcox

• Multidisciplinary optimization allows us to find
  an optimum design using analysis from many
  disciplines
• Geometric fidelity is the degree to which the
  geometric representation of the problem conforms
  to the real system
• High geometric fidelity allows us to find the
  best design with a realistic description, but can
  be expensive and time-consuming
• Combining high- and low-fidelities may allow us
  to find that same best design at much lower cost

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Example Problem Supersonic Business Jet
T.D. Robinson, Bob Haimes and Prof. Karen Willcox

• Flies at Mach 1.5 and has a 5300 nautical-mile
  range
• High-fidelity model is provided by Stanford
• Low-fidelity model is wave-drag code written by
  Boeing in the 1950s