Adjoint-based correction of aerodynamic coefficients on structured multiblock grids

Abstract

The work performed at AIRBUS Operations S.A.S on adjoint-based error estimation of functional outputs is presented. The ultimate goal of this technique aims at identifying areas where local mesh refinement and/or nodes displacement may be applied to get closer to grid convergence. The method also provides a correction term allowing to estimate the value of a given functional output if the grid were globally refined. The theoretical background is recalled and the two interpolation techniques implemented by way of prolongation operator are detailed. Also, improvements to the numerical method for the adjoint state are described. The adjoint-based correction is assessed for the lift and drag coefficients on two industrially relevant test cases, the DLR-F6Wing-Body and Wing-Body-Pylon-Nacelle configurations. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.