On Analysis Driven Shape Design Using B-Splines

This paper presents a method for aerodynamic design using B-splines which aims to combine traditional CAD-like parametric solid model construction with freeform-like local deformation, all driven by optimization. Integrating the B-spline geometry with ESP’s constructive solid modeling will allow the reshaping of parts of the full 3D geometric model and the creation of shape designs that can be considered “generative”. The method uses B-splines and Engineering SketchPad (ESP) to construct the geometry, making the control point locations of certain B-splines available as the design parameters during optimization. This approach is demonstrated in morphing 2D airfoil and 3D wingtip shapes with CFD analysis using Cart3D.