Optimization of ski jumper's posture considering lift-to-drag ratio and stability

An optimization analysis of a ski jumper's posture has been performed to improve the lift-to-drag ratio, and to examine aerodynamic stability to ensure flight control and safety. Three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations were discretized using finite volume approximations for the flow analysis, and the shear stress transport k-ω turbulence model was used for a turbulence closure. The Airfoil theory and principles of aircraft stability were used to examine the stability mechanism. Two ski jumper posture angles were chosen as design variables through a preliminary test, and the lift-to-drag ratio was used as an objective function for the optimization problem. Thirteen design points within design spaces are selected by Latin hypercube sampling. In order to predict the objective function values in the design space, the Kriging model was constructed using the numerical results on the design points. By the sequential quadratic programming, the optimal point was found from the constructed the Kriging model. The Kriging model predicted the objective function value at the optimum point with a 1.1% error compared to the value obtained by numerical analysis. The optimum design showed a considerable lift-to-drag ratio improvement compared to the reference design.