CAD-in-the-loop: Integration of a Differentiated CAD Library for High-Fidelity Simulation and Optimization Processes¶
Thomas Hafemann (DLR)
Abstract¶
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is one of the essential ingredients in many engineering design processes. However, a CAD software is typically not integrated into high-fidelity HPC simulation and optimization workflows. This work aims at a seamless integration of CAD into a framework-based approach for high-fidelity Multidisciplinary Design Analysis and Optimization (MDAO), by using efficient gradient-based methods. However, this approach requires geometric sensitivities from a CAD library, which are here provided by means of Algorithmic Differentiation (AD). For these purposes, the AD-enabled OpenCascade Technology (OCCT) CAD library is integrated in the FlowSimulator HPC ecosystem in a seamless way as a plugin. This plugin – named FSOCCT – provides functionalities, such as: (i) a robust, metadata-based link between CAD and mesh objects, (ii) an automated and exact calculation of geometric sensitivities using AD and (iii) support for HPC workflows that are MPI parallel (end-to-end). In the presentation we will show selected examples to demonstrate key features and functionalities of the CAD-integration.