Embedded Geometry Modeling for Online Visualization in Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Frameworks

The design of new aircraft and rotorcraft is a complex multi-disciplinary optimization problem. The interconnectivity between different systems and the large dimension of the design space renders optimization exceedingly challenging, even for subject matter experts. To address these challenges, multi-disciplinary analysis and optimization (MDAO) tools, like OpenMDAO, NASA NDARC, and HPCMP CREATE-AV ADAPT, have been developed to provide frameworks for integrating simulation tools to resolve multi-disciplinary systems and support design MDAO frameworks require the ability to fully parametrize geometries and export their representation to many different formats in a consistent manner. To support engineering workflows with different objectives, this parameterization must be accessible through a graphical user interface (GUI) and application programming interface (API). Synchronization between the GUI and API where the actions in the GUI can be translated directly to an interpretable API would provide considerable functionality beyond the current standard. CFD Research seeks to add this capability by adding an API/GUI synchronization capability to OpenVSP, which is a powerful geometry modeling capability used by several MDAO frameworks. The proposed solution would add three distinct features to OpenVSP: (1) a save history function that would write GUI events to an API compatible script, (2) an API with the ability to trigger events in the GUI to provide functionality similar to Jupyter Notebooks or a REPL, and (3) an “automation monitoring” mode that could bring up and/or save images of concept geometries. Successful development of this solution, would result in a considerably improved MDAO geometry modeling capability. In Phase, the prototype capability will be developed and demonstrated via case studies of Navy interest.