Overview
One of the critical modelling tools used across the Aerospace industry is Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) which has proved crucial to high performance engineering design. However, CFD can be extremely computationally expensive to run, often making the thousands of simulations necessary for simple automated optimisation processes prohibitive.
Within this group, we work on methods for accelerating CFD-driven design processes through the use of techniques such as mesh-based parameterisation schemes, exploitation of reduced order or surrogate modelling, novel implementations of Evolutionary Optimisation (EA) approaches and the use of Bayesian Optimisation (BO). All of these ideas have been applied to real-world, industrial scale applications ranging from the design of the Bloodhound Land Speed Record vehicle to the aerodynamic optimisation of the Reaction Engines’ Skylon spaceplane.
Despite academic evidence that EA and BO approaches can have a positive impact, automatic optimisation techniques remain underutilised in industrial settings due to a combination of theoretical and practical barriers. This group works closely with industry partners to help break down these barriers and support the implementation of new CFD-driven design and optimisation processes in industry. The group also has interests in innovative ‘human in the loop’ optimisation environments, exploiting augmented reality, to facilitate co-creativity in design.
Our Facilities
Key Enabling Technologies:
- High-Performance Computing
- In-house software for mesh morphing, evolutionary design optimisation and Bayesian optimisation, human in the loop design, augmented reality
- https://pillbuginteractive.itch.io/genetic-car-designer
- https://aerodoodle.swan.ac.uk
Specialist Area Leads
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Dr Alma Rahat
Profile Dr Rahat is an Associate Professor of Data Science. His expertise is in evolutionary and Bayesian search and optimisation. Particularly, he has worked on developing effective acquisition functions for optimising single and multi-objective problems and locating the feasible space of solutions. He has a strong track record of working with industry on a broad…
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Dr Sean Walton
Profile Dr Sean Walton is a Computer Science Lecturer at Swansea University, Sêr Cymru II Fellow, and Founding Director of Pill Bug Interactive (https://www.pillbug.zone/), a BAFTA Cymru nominated games development studio. Sean’s research background is primarily in using evolutionary optimisation techniques in engineering. Since joining the Computational Foundry at Swansea he has expanded his research…
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Professor Ben Evans
Profile Professor Ben Evans is a Professor in Aerospace Engineering and sits on the design team for the Bloodhound Land Speed Record project with responsibilities for aerodynamic modelling. Professor Evans’s research interests range from computational shape optimisation and high speed aerodynamic modelling to molecular gas dynamics simulation and has worked with companies including Rolls-Royce, Airbus and Reaction Engines. He has interests…