Aerodynamic Design Tool DESTRAVA and Its Usage for Practical Applications
ORAL
Abstract
Modern aircraft development demands rapid, accurate, and flexible aerodynamic design tools capable of handling complex geometries, unconventional configurations, and highly integrated propulsion systems. DESTRAVA (Design + Streamline + Aviation) is a comprehensive aerodynamic design environment developed to address these needs across the full design cycle — from concept to optimization.
DESTRAVA features a modular structure that includes geometry and mesh generation, control surface (CS) modeling, propulsion integration, aerodynamic simulation, and post-processing. Geometry construction accommodates any arbitrary airfoil profile, including NACA series and CST-based libraries, and enables shape generation through lofted 2D profiles along guide curves. Users can control desired nodal distribution and total node number for tailored meshing and resolution. Geometry operations include Boolean operations, translation, rotation, twist, full parameterization, and trailing-edge thickness control.
Special modules address propulsion modeling, bump geometries, and ground effect simulation, with options for ground boundary conditions and automatic control of ground clearance and angle. The CS allocation module offers automated placement and includes advanced features for trimming, blending, and seal design. Gap modeling and morphing capabilities ensure high-fidelity representation of control surface integration. Squadron configurations can also be evaluated, with automated echelon formation and mesh customization per aircraft.
DESTRAVA includes robust pre-analysis and post-processing stages to facilitate effective optimization and ensure consistent simulation setups. It is designed to support the integration of any aerodynamic simulation tools, covering steady and unsteady analyses as well as optimization. For this study, GMSH is used for geometry and surface mesh generation, Pentagrow for volume meshing, and SU2 for both aerodynamic analyses and adjoint-based optimization.
The tool’s high degree of parametrization enables rapid design iteration and systematic exploration of configuration changes. It has been effectively applied to analyze unconventional aircraft layouts, delivering engineering insight and practical support for aerospace design workflows.
DESTRAVA features a modular structure that includes geometry and mesh generation, control surface (CS) modeling, propulsion integration, aerodynamic simulation, and post-processing. Geometry construction accommodates any arbitrary airfoil profile, including NACA series and CST-based libraries, and enables shape generation through lofted 2D profiles along guide curves. Users can control desired nodal distribution and total node number for tailored meshing and resolution. Geometry operations include Boolean operations, translation, rotation, twist, full parameterization, and trailing-edge thickness control.
Special modules address propulsion modeling, bump geometries, and ground effect simulation, with options for ground boundary conditions and automatic control of ground clearance and angle. The CS allocation module offers automated placement and includes advanced features for trimming, blending, and seal design. Gap modeling and morphing capabilities ensure high-fidelity representation of control surface integration. Squadron configurations can also be evaluated, with automated echelon formation and mesh customization per aircraft.
DESTRAVA includes robust pre-analysis and post-processing stages to facilitate effective optimization and ensure consistent simulation setups. It is designed to support the integration of any aerodynamic simulation tools, covering steady and unsteady analyses as well as optimization. For this study, GMSH is used for geometry and surface mesh generation, Pentagrow for volume meshing, and SU2 for both aerodynamic analyses and adjoint-based optimization.
The tool’s high degree of parametrization enables rapid design iteration and systematic exploration of configuration changes. It has been effectively applied to analyze unconventional aircraft layouts, delivering engineering insight and practical support for aerospace design workflows.
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Presenters
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GOKTUG KOCAK
Turkish Aerospace
Authors
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GOKTUG KOCAK
Turkish Aerospace