Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 July 2016
A computational procedure has been developed in order to predict aerodynamic interference between lifting surfaces, and to devise configurations which best meet given aerodynamic requirements. The procedure, which couples an aerodynamic solver with a numerical optimisation routine, is useful in the preliminary design of aircraft. The essential features of the aerodynamic code and of the optimisation routine are described, along with the coupling criteria. Some of the most significant predictions obtained in induced-drag minimisation for wing-tail and canard configurations are described and discussed.