Digital Geometry and Morphing to Support Analysis and Design

This paper describes the application of geometry morphing, integrated with meshing and flow simulation, to the topological optimisation of gas turbine film cooling holes.

Using a Genetic Algorithm to manage the digitally represented geometry a wide range of novel cooling hole shapes can be generated and useful improvements in film cooling effectiveness are observed. The simulations suggest that modified vortical flow structures are responsible for improved coolant distribution and coverage at hole exit.