https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-025-01814-6
Regular Article
Application of non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II for airfoil performance optimization at low Reynolds numbers
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Delhi Technological University, 110042, Delhi, India
a
shivendrasingh_2k21phdme01@dtu.ac.in
Received:
20
May
2025
Accepted:
16
July
2025
Published online:
28
July
2025
Fixed-wing aircraft are designed to maintain extended operational lifespans with high aerodynamic efficiency. The Blade Element Momentum (BEM) theory is prominently recognized approach for evaluating aerodynamic performance. A steady flow Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes simulations were conducted using ANSYS CFD tool and XFOIL which is a panel method computational tool to analyze aerodynamic properties of airfoil. The computational results were validated with experimental findings obtained from performing wind tunnel tests for a low Reynolds number using S7055 airfoil. Design of experiments were created using the Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) technique and simulations were further performed for the multi-objective optimization. The airfoil design process employed Class-Shape Transformation (CST) parameterization with a 7-degree polynomial function, involving 16 design variables. To enhance the aerodynamic performance, a Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) was applied for optimization at Reynolds numbers Re∞ = 2.039 × 10^5 and Re∞ = 6.12 × 10^4, across a series of angle of attack (AoA) ɛ [0°–6.5°]. The optimized airfoil gave the aerodynamic output demonstrating a 34% enhancement in Cl/Cd and a 20% improvement in Cl for Reynolds number Re∞ = 6.12 × 10^4. Furthermore, the optimal airfoil was also analyzed for Re∞ = 2.039 × 10^5 which exhibits a 24% rise in Cl and 14% increase in Cl/Cd.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to EDP Sciences, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
