DLR's Remote Component Environment (RCE) is an open-source software environment for defining and executing workflows containing distributed simulation tools by integrating them into a peer-to-peer network. It is being developed primarily by DLR and has been used in various engineering projects, including several aerospace projects dealing with multidisciplinary optimization (MDO) and multidisciplinary analysis (MDA). RCE has several advantages that can help to achieve more reusable multidisciplinary processes. The workflow is composed of built-in and user-defined components. Disciplinary tools are integrated as standalone components, with defined inputs and outputs, and then distributed over the network. While executing the workflow, data dependencies between the components are automatically detected, and a component is executed as soon as all its input data is available. Thus, multiple components can run at the same time. The components of a multidisciplinary process can also be executed in a distributed manner, where the tools are located on different machines with possibly different operating systems. Once configured, the peer-to-peer network is automatically established between the RCE instances running on different machines, making components visible and executable even between instances that are only connected indirectly. The distributed execution capability alleviates tool deployment issues, including those related to the protection of intellectual property. RCE supplies a graphical editor for creation of workflows, using the built-in components to control the data flow. Some built-in components can be used to perform optimization tasks within the workflow, including nested loops, using built-in or user integrated optimization algorithms. We demonstrate the use of some of the key features of RCE for MDA and MDO purposes based on several collaborative DLR projects where distributed simulation tools are being used.
This article introduces a process chain for commercial aircraft wing multidisciplinary optimization (MDO) based on high fidelity simulation methods. The architecture of this process chain enables two of the most promising future technologies in commercial aircraft design in the context of MDO. These technologies are natural laminar flow (NLF) and aeroelastic tailoring using carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP). With this new approach the application of MDO to an NLF forward swept composite wing will be possible.The main feature of the process chain is the hierarchical decomposition of the optimization problem into two levels. On the highest level the wing planform including twist and airfoil thickness distributions as well as the orthotropy direction of the composite structure will be optimized. The lower optimization level includes the wing box sizing for essential load cases considering the static aeroelastic deformations. Additionally, the airfoil shapes are transferred from a given NLF wing design and the natural laminar flow is considered by prescribing laminar-turbulent transition locations.
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