Improved Modeling Tools For High Speed Reacting Flows

This report was developed under SBIR contract for Topic AF05-194. The objective of this work was to develop and demonstrate a means for the efficient integration of detailed numerical analysis into the design-optimization process. An integrated design optimization and engineering analysis tool has been demonstrated. This tool leverages the significant work required to set-up a detailed numerical analysis. The additional work required to execute the optimization includes formally defining the figure of merits, setting up the DAKOTA input file and possibly re-defining the geometry and topology for parametric grid generation. Setting up the DAKOTA input file is a straight forward task. Since the process requires a formal definition of the figure of merits, the system documents itself and is very repeatable. Including grid generation in the loop requires some additional effort, however, the potential gains in component performance and system operability are substantial.