MADIC Certifies CFD Codes for Multidisciplinary Optimization

First highlighted in the July 1993 issue of Parallel Computing Research, MADIC has made a significant milestone in its efforts to develop the core technologies for an automated multidisciplinary design system for integrated product and process development. In a series of presentations at the AIAA Fluids Conference in July, researchers in the MADIC consortium announced their most recent results of a systematic review of NASA-developed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation software to be applied to the engineering design process.

Researchers from the CRPC, Lockheed, McDonnell-Douglas, Northrop Grumman, Rockwell, United Technologies, and Vought Aircraft reviewed 24 potential NASA codes, selecting five for further study on their effectiveness in a production design environment. Evaluation teams were set up to assess individual codes based on numerical, physical, operability, and applicability criteria. A review panel established certification plans and managed the overall efforts of the evaluation teams. Two preliminary workshops in 1993 offered forums for exchanging ideas and information between the review panel, the evaluation teams, and the NASA staff who developed the CFD codes.

The initial study of CFD codes is important because they are less mature commercially than other codes to be used in MDO design systems, such as structural dynamics codes. By providing a systematic review process, this project will facilitate the transfer of pilot or research CFD codes to the design community. The papers presented at the conference gave the aerospace community the first chance to provide feedback on MADIC's efforts to date. For more information on MADIC, contact Bob Olson at olson@npac.syr.edu or 203-649- 5520.

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