03.1 - Aerodynamics – CFD Methods and Validation

CONTINUOUS UNSTEADY ADJOINT VARIATIONAL MULTISCALE METHOD FOR AIRFOILS SHAPE OPTIMIZATION

C. Brunelli¹, M. Avirovic¹, B. Janssens¹, B.G. Marinus¹; ¹Royal Military Academy, Belgium

This work extends adjoint-based shape optimization to unsteady and transitional flows using a Variational Multiscale LES framework. By avoiding non-differentiable RANS closures, it enables robust optimization in flows with separation and transition. The approach is validated against finite differences and successfully achieves a prescribed lift target.

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DOI: 10.71945/icas2026_0105