Multi-objective design exploration for aerodynamic configurations

A new approach, Multi-Objective Design Exploration (MODE), is presented to address Multidisciplinary Design Optimization problems. MODE reveals the structure of the design space from the trade-off information and visualizes it as a panorama for Decision Maker. The present form of MODE consists of Kriging Model, Adaptive Range Multi Objective Genetic Algorithms, Analysis of Variance and Self-Organizing Map. The main emphasis of this approach is visual data mining. Two data mining examples using high fidelity simulation codes are presented: four-objective aerodynamic optimization for the fly-back booster and Multidisciplinary Design Optimization problem for a regional-jet wing. The first example confirms that two different data mining techniques produce consistent results. The second example illustrates the importance of the present approach because design knowledge can produce a better design even from the brief exploration of the design space.