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A Kriging based genetic algorithm (GA) was employed to optimizethe parameters of the operating conditions of plasma actuators (PAs).In this study, the multi-objective problem around a circular cylinderwas considered. The objective functions are the lift maximization andthe drag minimization. Two PAs were installed on the upper and thelower side of the cylinder. This problem was similar to the airfoil de-sign, because the circular has potential to work as airfoil due to thecontrol of flow circulation by the PAs with four design parameters.The aerodynamic performance was assessed by wind tunnel testing toovercome the disadvantages of time-consuming numerical simulations.The developed optimization system explores the optimum waveform ofparameters for AC voltage by changing the waveform automatically.Based on these results, optimum designs and global design informationwere obtained while drastically reducing the number of experiments re-quired compared to a full factorial experiment. An analysis of varianceand a scatter plot matrix were introduced for design knowledge discov-ery. According to the discovered design knowledge, it was found that duty ratios for two PAs are an important parameter to create lift whilereducing drag.

Plasma actuator; Genetic algorithm; Efficient global optimization; Experimental evaluation