Trailing-Edge Noise Reduction using Porous Treatment and Surrogate-based Global Optimization

TL;DR

This paper presents a surrogate-based optimization approach to design porous trailing edges that significantly reduce broadband noise in aerospace applications, achieving an 8-10 dB reduction in the 300-5000 Hz range.

Contribution

It introduces a gradient-free surrogate optimization method combined with an empirical noise model for efficient design of porous trailing edges, highlighting the complexity of the design space.

Findings

Achieved 8-10 dB broadband noise reduction

Optimal designs feature low porosity with significant noise reduction

Demonstrated the complexity of the porous trailing edge design space

Abstract

Broadband noise reduction is a significant problem in aerospace and industrial applications. Specifically, the noise generated from the trailing edge of an airfoil poses a challenging problem with various proposed solutions. This study investigates the porous trailing edge treatment. We use surrogate-based gradient-free optimization and an empirical noise model to efficiently explore the design space and find the optimal porosity distribution. As a result, a predicted 8-10 dB reduction in the broadband 300-5000 Hz was achieved. Furthermore, the optimal design emphasizes the design space's complexity and global exploration's difficulty. Further, the optimal design presents a low porous solution while constituting significant noise reduction.