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T H Pulliam

Publications and source records attributed to T H Pulliam.

Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes Computations of the NASA Juncture Flow Model Using FUN3D and OVERFLOW

Two Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes codes, FUN3D and OVERFLOW, are used to assess the capability of Spalart-Allmaras-based turbulence models to predict the flow over the NASA Juncture Flow model. Both free-air and in-tunnel simulations are performed. While the tunnel walls have some influence, it is found to be relatively minor in the juncture region of interest. Results from the two codes are found to be consistent with each other in attached flow regions, but results in the area of separation still show grid and code sensitivity, even on grids as large as 400 million unknowns. Nonetheless, it is possible to draw conclusions regarding the model capabilities. Without a quadratic constitutive relation, the linear model predicts a separation size that is too large. The inclusion of a nonlinear quadratic constitutive relation improves results significantly, but separation still occurs too far upstream. Prediction of turbulent normal stress differences play a key role in this flow. Although the nonlinear model makes better predictions in this regard, they could still be improved, particularly in the streamwise normal component near the wall.

C L Rumsey↗

Characteristic boundary conditions for the Euler equations

The boundary conditions are demonstrated for the quasi-one-dimensional Euler equations with the extension to two and three dimensions being straightforward. In this application an implicit finite-difference scheme is employed with the boundary conditions being applied implicitly. The boundary application uses both characteristic extrapolations and evaluations which distinguishes it from other theories. Flow fields with shocks are calculated with inflow-outflow conditions of supersonic-subsonic and subsonic-subsonic flow.

T H Pulliam↗

CFD Comparisons with Updated NASA Juncture Flow Data

The purpose of the NASA Juncture Flow experiment is to acquire high-quality flowfield details deep in the corner of a wing-body junction specifically for the purpose of CFD validation. A second phase of testing was recently completed, which includes both laser doppler velocimetry and particle image velocimetry measurements. This paper describes the recent experiment and its results. It also makes detailed comparisons between the experimental data and a new version of a widely-used CFD turbulence model for Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes, which was recently developed to improve separated corner flow predictions. The CFD results generally produce very good qualitative agreement with the experiment, although they are less accurate inside of the separation region, as expected.

Experimental Data↗

Comparison of OVERFLOW Computational and Experimental Results for a Blunt Mars Entry Vehicle Concept during Supersonic Retropropulsion

Simulations of unsteady supersonic retropropulsion (SRP) flow over a Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) blunt-body vehicle were performed using the OVERFLOW Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solver. High-fidelity flow solver techniques, including Detached Eddy Simulation (DES) turbulence modeling and Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR), were employed to obtain improved realism in CFD predictions. Simulation conditions and geometry configurations were designed to match specific runs in the Descent System Study (DSS) wind tunnel testing (WTT) campaign. The accuracy of each simulation is assessed by direct comparison to experimental data. Comparisons of computational predictions of the SRP flowfield and bow shock shape to experimental schlieren imaging show reasonable prediction of mean shock shape, with approximately 10% similarity in shock standoff distance for selected conditions, as well as similarity in local, time-varying fluctuations of the shock-plume interaction. Comparisons of discrete measurements of surface pressure coefficient (Cp) indicate CFD accuracy within approximately 10% of the experiment across the majority of the model heatshield, with larger variations at some of the heatshield edge locations with stronger flow unsteadiness. Simulated unsteadiness of these chaotic flows, which were highly dynamic and multi-modal, was shown to be within 20-40% of experimentally-measured pressure standard deviation (SD) for the majority of the sampled locations.

Supersonic Retropropulsion↗