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E-Thesis 270 views 348 downloads

Development of Design Optimisation Techniques with Application to the Transonic Performance of the Skylon Spaceplane / BEN SMITH

Swansea University Author: BEN SMITH

DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUThesis.68884

Abstract

The aim of this thesis was the explore design optimisation techniques that could be used in the optimisation process of the Skylon spaceplane. The research began by investigating the performance of the existing design at a critical design point, the results of which were presented to industry partne...

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Published: Swansea University, Wales, UK 2025
Institution: Swansea University
Degree level: Doctoral
Degree name: Ph.D
Supervisor: Evans, B. J., and Walton, S. P.
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68884
first_indexed 2025-02-13T15:20:02Z
last_indexed 2025-02-14T05:46:34Z
id cronfa68884
recordtype RisThesis
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spelling 2025-02-13T15:28:02.3947327 v2 68884 2025-02-13 Development of Design Optimisation Techniques with Application to the Transonic Performance of the Skylon Spaceplane 99c5852dca476b7624705af7f89a1304 BEN SMITH BEN SMITH true false 2025-02-13 The aim of this thesis was the explore design optimisation techniques that could be used in the optimisation process of the Skylon spaceplane. The research began by investigating the performance of the existing design at a critical design point, the results of which were presented to industry partners. Parameterisation techniques were then explored and a novel mesh morphing framework was developed. The method uses Radial Basis Functions to ensure that a mesh remains suitable for computational fluid dynamic analysis following the application of a morph function to a subset of the geometry. This framework was used to explore optimised designs with the aim of reducing the drag coefficient of the geometry, which was achieved with a reduction in drag coefficient of up to 2% for the Skylon spaceplane at Mach 1.2 E-Thesis Swansea University, Wales, UK Design Optimisation, Mesh Morphing, Bayesian Optimisation 15 1 2025 2025-01-15 10.23889/SUThesis.68884 A selection of content is redacted or is partially redacted from this thesis to protect sensitive and personal information COLLEGE NANME COLLEGE CODE Swansea University Evans, B. J., and Walton, S. P. Doctoral Ph.D Reaction Engines Ltd, EPSRC Reaction Engines Ltd, EPSRC 2025-02-13T15:28:02.3947327 2025-02-13T15:09:13.5197725 Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Aerospace, Civil, Electrical, General and Mechanical Engineering - Aerospace Engineering BEN SMITH 1 68884__33583__964bd23e9aa942888b4a68c7b37a436c.pdf 2024_Smith_B.final.68884.pdf 2025-02-13T15:18:27.4613850 Output 52268050 application/pdf E-Thesis – open access true Copyright: The Author, Ben Hickling Smith true eng
title Development of Design Optimisation Techniques with Application to the Transonic Performance of the Skylon Spaceplane
spellingShingle Development of Design Optimisation Techniques with Application to the Transonic Performance of the Skylon Spaceplane
BEN SMITH
title_short Development of Design Optimisation Techniques with Application to the Transonic Performance of the Skylon Spaceplane
title_full Development of Design Optimisation Techniques with Application to the Transonic Performance of the Skylon Spaceplane
title_fullStr Development of Design Optimisation Techniques with Application to the Transonic Performance of the Skylon Spaceplane
title_full_unstemmed Development of Design Optimisation Techniques with Application to the Transonic Performance of the Skylon Spaceplane
title_sort Development of Design Optimisation Techniques with Application to the Transonic Performance of the Skylon Spaceplane
author_id_str_mv 99c5852dca476b7624705af7f89a1304
author_id_fullname_str_mv 99c5852dca476b7624705af7f89a1304_***_BEN SMITH
author BEN SMITH
author2 BEN SMITH
format E-Thesis
publishDate 2025
institution Swansea University
doi_str_mv 10.23889/SUThesis.68884
college_str Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchytype
hierarchy_top_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
department_str School of Aerospace, Civil, Electrical, General and Mechanical Engineering - Aerospace Engineering{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Science and Engineering{{{_:::_}}}School of Aerospace, Civil, Electrical, General and Mechanical Engineering - Aerospace Engineering
document_store_str 1
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description The aim of this thesis was the explore design optimisation techniques that could be used in the optimisation process of the Skylon spaceplane. The research began by investigating the performance of the existing design at a critical design point, the results of which were presented to industry partners. Parameterisation techniques were then explored and a novel mesh morphing framework was developed. The method uses Radial Basis Functions to ensure that a mesh remains suitable for computational fluid dynamic analysis following the application of a morph function to a subset of the geometry. This framework was used to explore optimised designs with the aim of reducing the drag coefficient of the geometry, which was achieved with a reduction in drag coefficient of up to 2% for the Skylon spaceplane at Mach 1.2
published_date 2025-01-15T05:22:01Z
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score 11.089572

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