Recently with growth in the capability of super computers and parallel computers, shape design optimization is becoming feasible for real problems. Also, Computational Fluid Dynamics(CFD) techniques have been improved for higher reliability and higher accuracy. In the shape design optimization, analysis solvers and optimization schemes are essential. In this work, the Roe's 2nd-order Upwind TVD scheme and DADI time march with the multi-grid are used for the flow solution with the Euler equation and FDM(Finite Differenciation Method), GA(Genetic Algorithm) and metamodels are used for the design optimization. Among metamodels, RSM(Response Surface Methodology) and Kriging are used for the shape optimization. These metamodels were applied to 2D airfoil design optimization and compared with FDM and GA's results.
When RSM was applied to 2D airfoil design optimization rather poor results are obtained in the accuracy. This is RSM approximates important sample data so RSM has difficulty in application to nonlinear problems. If some modifications are added to RSM then RSM may be a good optimization method for nonlinear problems too. However, when Kriging is applied to the nonlinear problems, satisfactory results are obtained. From the result design optimization by metamodels appeared as good as other methods.
