There is a strong trade-off between aerodynamic performance and blade strength in the shape of the blades used in turbomachinery. Designing shapes that satisfy requirements for both characteristics is extremely difficult. In light of this, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. has developed performance and strength multidisciplinary optimization technology using the adjoint method, which is a shape optimization technique, in order to design of high-performance turbomachinery blades while maintaining blade strength. Furthermore, by adding design parameters based on performance and strength sensitivity information, the search range for solutions in optimization was effectively expanded, and the prospect of even higher performance was achieved. This report presents a case study in which the developed technology was applied to centrifugal compressor blades, resulting in higher performance while maintaining blade strength.
