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Distinguished Professor
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
University of Florida, Gainesville
There is an obituary as:
Professor Raphael (Rafi) T. Haftka (1944–2020). Structural Multidisciplinary Optimization, Vol. 62, No. 4, pp 1595–1596 (October 2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-020-02737-7
Earlier Text:
My research area is structural and multidisciplinary optimization. In the area of structural optimization, my students and I investigate diverse applications ranging from the development of algorithms to the experimental validation of reliability based optimization. The focus of many of these investigations is the design of structures made from composite materials. The combinatorial nature of the stacking sequence design for composite laminates is particularly challenging, and has motivated my work in the development of genetic algorithms for this application.
In the past few years I have focused much of my interest in optimization methodology into methods that are used for experimental optimization. These methods, commonly known as design-of-experiment techniques, are becoming increasing appropriate because of the growing similarities between computer simulations through complex numerical models and physical experiments.
In the area of multidisciplinary optimization I have focused on combined structure and control optimization of space structures, and on combined aerodynamic and structural optimization of aircraft wings. The first topic has a strong experimental flavor, because I believe that much of the challenge in the area of structural control derives from the discrepancy between theoretical results and what can be achieved in real applications. In the area of combined aerodynamic and structural optimization, I am currently working with three other faculty members and five graduate students in a major effort of developing design methodology for the next generation super-sonic transport. I am also working with a team of colleagues and students at Virginia Tech on the design of a truss braced transport, with the truss brace allowing for a substantial improvements in aspect ration and lift to drag ratios.
Another multidisciplinary program involves the design of miniature unmanned aerial vehicles. The focus in this research is on the smallest size that can be achieved with present day technology. I am working with seven other faculty members in AeMES and one in Electrical and Computer Engineering on various aspects of aerodynamics, control and performance of miniature aircraft.
I like to work with colleagues, and I attempt to share all of my graduate students with other faculty members or NASA researchers. This arrangement benefits the students, and it helps me create interactions with and learn from my colleagues. This interaction results also in joint papers and joint research proposals. Over my 13 years at Virginia Tech, I have written papers with 8 faculty colleagues in my department and 8 in other departments. At the University of Florida I have published papers with 4 faculty members. Since 1991 I have also published papers with 10 NASA researchers and colleagues from other many other countries including, Belgium, Den-mark, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Poland and Turkey.
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