Università degli Studi di Trieste
Trieste, Italy
April 18th – April 20th, 2007
Computer-optimisation of engineering designs is a powerful emerging technology. Currently, technical designs are based on the intuition and the experience of design engineers. In the future, computer optimisation will assist in the search for optimal technical solutions.
Automated design optimisation technology has already been applied to numerous problems. Many of the applications are in the area of Computational Structural Mechanics (CSM). Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has not been a natural first candidate for the
application of optimisation methods, due to the high CPU requirements for CFD simulations. This is a challenge, as optimisation methods require a significant number of solution points in parameter space in order to arrive to an improved design. However, substantial effort has been devoted in recent years to this problem and efficient solution strategies have been developed.
Acknowledging the growing importance of Design Optimisation to industrial CFD applications, ERCOFTAC has established a Special Interest Group (SIG) on this subject at its Pilot Centre in Munich. It is intended as a platform for the information exchange from science to industry.
In the present course, experts will offer an introduction to the basic methods used in design optimisation. The presentations will cover:
-
Genetic Algorithms
-
Evolution Strategies
-
Gradient-based Methods
-
Sensitivity Analysis
-
Meta-models / Neural networks
-
Optimisation Set-Up
-
Commercial Optimisation Tools
-
Test Cases for Demonstration on “How It Works”
Furthermore, to demonstrate the capabilities of their codes, and to develop basic skills in problem definition, in set-up of applications, in the use of different methods and solution evaluation (maybe you could bring your own application?), various test cases presented by code vendors will provide hands-on on-line training. A PC will be made available to each code supplier, enabling participants to
compare different software tools and suitability to own applications.
ERCOFTAC
ERCOFTAC (European Research Community on Flow Turbulence and Combustion) is the leading European
association of research, educational and industrial groups in the field of flow, turbulence and combustion. The main organisational structure of ERCOFTAC includes Pilot Centres in different European Countries.
ERCOFTAC organises Special Interest Groups (SIG) on specific scientific and technological subjects. SIGs are of a long-term nature and allow for a continuous interaction of groups working in related fields. One of more than 30 SIGs is the "Design Optimisation" SIG, organising the current event.
One of the aims of ERCOFTAC is to promote the exchange of scientific and technical information between research and industrial groups in Europe. The current course is intended to support this objective by educating novice users in the field of Optimum Design.
Hence, the goal of the course is to foster the spread of design optimisation technology in Europe by offering to all interested organisations - not currently engaged in computer optimisation - an overview over the existing concepts and strategies that can be applied. The course is organised to:
-
Present the basic scientific ideas
-
Communicate experiences in the application of the technology
-
Foster communication between industry and academia
-
Discuss new concepts
-
Give an overview over existing software and methods
-
Provide hands-on training together with optimisation-code vendors on selected test cases
The course is not limited to CFD applications, as one of the goals is to benefit from experience gained in other areas, like CSM.
For more information please visit the ERCOFTAC Web pages:
www.ercoftac.org
or the SIG's Web site
www.aer.mw.tum.de/ERCOFTAC
