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Whitfield, David L.

Publications and source records attributed to Whitfield, David L..

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2000

Three-Dimensional Incompressible Navier-Stokes Flow Computations about Complete Configurations Using a Multiblock Unstructured Grid Approach

A multiblock unstructured grid approach is presented for solving three-dimensional incompressible inviscid and viscous turbulent flows about complete configurations. The artificial compressibility form of the governing equations is solved by a node-based, finite volume implicit scheme which uses a backward Euler time discretization. Point Gauss-Seidel relaxations are used to solve the linear system of equations at each time step. This work employs a multiblock strategy to the solution procedure, which greatly improves the efficiency of the algorithm by significantly reducing the memory requirements by a factor of 5 over the single-grid algorithm while maintaining a similar convergence behavior. The numerical accuracy of solutions is assessed by comparing with the experimental data for a submarine with stem appendages and a high-lift configuration.

Sheng, Chunhua↗
NASA NTRS1997

A Multiblock Approach for Calculating Incompressible Fluid Flows on Unstructured Grids

A multiblock approach is presented for solving two-dimensional incompressible turbulent flows on unstructured grids. The artificial compressibility form of the governing equations is solved by a vertex-centered, finite-volume implicit scheme which uses a backward Euler time discretization. Point Gauss-Seidel relaxations are used to solve the linear system of equations at each time step. This work introduces a multiblock strategy to the solution procedure, which greatly improves the efficiency of the algorithm by significantly reducing the memory requirements while not increasing the CPU time. Results presented in this work shows that the current multiblock algorithm requires 70% less memory than the single block algorithm.

Sheng, Chunhua↗
NASA NTRS1996

Multigrid Computations of 3-D Incompressible Internal and External Viscous Rotating Flows

This report presents multigrid methods for solving the 3-D incompressible viscous rotating flows in a NASA low-speed centrifugal compressor and a marine propeller 4119. Numerical formulations are given in both the rotating reference frame and the absolute frame. Comparisons are made for the accuracy, efficiency, and robustness between the steady-state scheme and the time-accurate scheme for simulating viscous rotating flows for complex internal and external flow applications. Prospects for further increase in efficiency and accuracy of unsteady time-accurate computations are discussed.

Sheng, Chunhua↗
NASA NTRS1995

Nonlinear (time domain) and linearized (time and frequency domain) solutions to the compressible Euler equations in conservation law form

Two linearized solvers (time and frequency domain) based on a high resolution numerical scheme are presented. The basic approach is to linearize the flux vector by expressing it as a sum of a mean and a perturbation. This allows the governing equations to be maintained in conservation law form. A key difference between the time and frequency domain computations is that the frequency domain computations require only one grid block irrespective of the interblade phase angle for which the flow is being computed. As a result of this and due to the fact that the governing equations for this case are steady, frequency domain computations are substantially faster than the corresponding time domain computations. The linearized equations are used to compute flows in turbomachinery blade rows (cascades) arising due to blade vibrations. Numerical solutions are compared to linear theory (where available) and to numerical solutions of the nonlinear Euler equations.

Sreenivas, Kidambi↗
NASA NTRS1995

Computation of rotor-stator interaction using the Navier-Stokes equations

The numerical scheme presented belongs to a family of codes known as UNCLE (UNsteady Computation of fieLd Equations) as reported by Whitfield (1995), that is being used to solve problems in a variety of areas including compressible and incompressible flows. This derivation is specifically developed for general unsteady multi-blade-row turbomachinery problems. The scheme solves the Reynolds-averaged N-S equations with the Baldwin-Lomax turbulence model.

Whitfield, David L.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Numerical solution of the two-dimensional time-dependent incompressible Euler equations

A numerical method is presented for solving the artificial compressibility form of the 2D time-dependent incompressible Euler equations. The approach is based on using an approximate Riemann solver for the cell face numerical flux of a finite volume discretization. Characteristic variable boundary conditions are developed and presented for all boundaries and in-flow out-flow situations. The system of algebraic equations is solved using the discretized Newton-relaxation (DNR) implicit method. Numerical results are presented for both steady and unsteady flow.

Whitfield, David L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

High resolution numerical simulation of the linearized Euler equations in conservation law form

A linearized Euler solver based on a high resolution numerical scheme is presented. The approach is to linearize the flux vector as opposed to carrying through the complete linearization analysis with the dependent variable vector written as a sum of the mean and the perturbed flow. This allows the linearized equations to be maintained in conservation law form. The linearized equations are used to compute unsteady flows in turbomachinery blade rows arising due to blade vibrations. Numerical solutions are compared to theoretical results (where available) and to numerical solutions of the nonlinear Euler equations.

Sreenivas, Kidambi↗
NASA NTRS1993

Turbofan flowfield simulation using Euler equations with body forces

A method for flow computations around ducted propfans is presented. The approach is to use the body force terms in the three-dimensional Euler equations to model the propeller. Numerical solutions are compared with experimental data for three ducted propfan configurations for different flow conditions.

Pankajakshan, Ramesh↗
NASA NTRS1993

Navier-Stokes calculations for the unsteady flowfield of turbomachinery

The Multistage Unsteady Turbomachinery Code is presently used to numerically simulate the flowfield generated by rotating machinery. The code, which simplifies the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations via the thin-layer approximation, is an implicit finite-volume scheme with flux Jacobians that are evaluated by flux-vector splitting, while residual fluxes are evaluated by flux-difference splitting. Attention is given to the computational results this obtained for three engineering problems, involving propfan, rotating blade, and both rotating and static blade flows.

Chen, Jen P.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Unsteady flowfield simulation of ducted prop-fan configurations

A technique for the simulation of unsteady flows in and around complex rotating machinery is presented. Additional domain decomposition mechanisms are introduced which extend the range of applicability of software developed for the time-accurate simulation of rotating machinery flowfields. The flow models uses the unsteady 3D Euler equations, discretized as a finite-volume method, utilizing a high-resolution approximate Riemann solver for cell interface flux definitions. Multiblock domain decomposition is used to partition the field radially, axially, as well as circumferentially into an ordered arrangement of blocks which exhibit varying degrees of similarity. A general high-order numerical scheme is applied to satisfy the geometric conservation law. Two configurations are presented - ducted single rotation prop-fan and a rotor-deswirl vane combination which form a single stage fan. Comparisons are made to other numerical solutions for these geometries and to available experimental data.

Janus, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Discretized Newton-relaxation solution of high resolution flux-difference split schemes

A method is presented for the implicit solution of high resolution flux-difference split schemes for which it is impractical to obtain the Jacobian matrix analytically. The method is used frequently in numerical schemes for solving nonlinear systems of equations, but apparently has not been used to date for approximating the Jacobian of the Roe numerical flux vectors. The method consists of obtaining a discretized Jacobian by using simple finite-differences of the flux vectors, and then using this discretized Jacobian in a Newton-relaxation solution method. The method is applied to both compressible and incompressible flows. Numerical results are presented that demonstrate the method works for both inviscid and viscous flows.

Whitfield, David L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Counterrotating prop-fan simulations which feature a relative-motion multiblock grid decomposition enabling arbitrary time-steps

Improvements are presented of a computer algorithm developed for the time-accurate flow analysis of rotating machines. The flow model is a finite volume method utilizing a high-resolution approximate Riemann solver for interface flux definitions. The numerical scheme is a block LU implicit iterative-refinement method which possesses apparent unconditional stability. Multiblock composite gridding is used to orderly partition the field into a specified arrangement of blocks exhibiting varying degrees of similarity. Block-block relative motion is achieved using local grid distortion to reduce grid skewness and accommodate arbitrary time step selection. A general high-order numerical scheme is applied to satisfy the geometric conservation law. An even-blade-count counterrotating unducted fan configuration is chosen for a computational study comparing solutions resulting from altering parameters such as time step size and iteration count. The solutions are compared with measured data.

Janus, J. Mark↗
NASA NTRS1989

A simple time-accurate turbomachinery algorithm with numerical solutions of an uneven blade count configuration

The present computer algorithm for the time-accurate flow analysis of rotating turbomachines is based on the finite-volume method and employs a high-resolution approximate Riemann solver for interface flux definitions and an implicit numerical scheme that possesses apparent unconditional stability. Block-block interfaces, including dynamic ones, are treated in such a way as to mimic interior block communication. The turbomachine configurations treated by way of illustration are 8-8-bladed and 11-9-bladed versions of a contrarotating unducted fan engine.

Janus, J. Mark↗
NASA NTRS1989

Transonic flow solutions on general 3D regions using composite-block grids

The construction of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes for complicated regions is greatly simplified by a composite-block grid structure since, with the use of a surrounding layer of points on each block, a flow code is then only required basically to operate on rectangular computational regions. The necessary correspondence of points on the surrounding layers (image points) with interior points (object points) is set up by the grid code and made available to the CFD solution code.

Thompson, Joe F.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Three-dimensional multigrid algorithms for the flux-split Euler equations

The Full Approximation Scheme (FAS) multigrid method is applied to several implicit flux-split algorithms for solving the three-dimensional Euler equations in a body fitted coordinate system. Each of the splitting algorithms uses a variation of approximate factorization and is implemented in a finite volume formulation. The algorithms are all vectorizable with little or no scalar computation required. The flux vectors are split into upwind components using both the splittings of Steger-Warming and Van Leer. The stability and smoothing rate of each of the schemes are examined using a Fourier analysis of the complete system of equations. Results are presented for three-dimensional subsonic, transonic, and supersonic flows which demonstrate substantially improved convergence rates with the multigrid algorithm. The influence of using both a V-cycle and a W-cycle on the convergence is examined.

Anderson, W. Kyle↗
NASA NTRS1988

Improved 3-D turbomachinery CFD algorithm

The building blocks of a computer algorithm developed for the time-accurate flow analysis of rotating machines are described. The flow model is a finite volume method utilizing a high resolution approximate Riemann solver for interface flux definitions. This block LU implicit numerical scheme possesses apparent unconditional stability. Multi-block composite gridding is used to orderly partition the field into a specified arrangement. Block interfaces, including dynamic interfaces, are treated such as to mimic interior block communication. Special attention is given to the reduction of in-core memory requirements by placing the burden on secondary storage media. Broad applicability is implied, although the results presented are restricted to that of an even blade count configuration. Several other configurations are presently under investigation, the results of which will appear in subsequent publications.

Janus, J. Mark↗
NASA NTRS1988

Three-dimensional unsteady transonic viscous-inviscid interaction using the Euler and boundary-layer equations

The objective of this study is the development of a numerical technique which can provide three-dimensional, time-accurate, compressible, turbulent flow solutions in a practical and relatively economical way. The approach taken is that of the method of viscous-inviscid interaction. The Euler equations are assumed to govern the outer inviscid portion of the flow, and the viscous layer close to the solid wall is described by a set of integral boundary-layer equations. The viscous solutions are obtained in a direct fashion with a weighted-average phase error scheme. The method of equivalent sources is used for viscous-inviscid coupling. Steady-state and unsteady computations for an AGARD airfoil and a wing show that satisfactory engineering solutions can be obtained for attached, high Reynolds number flows using this method. Quasi-unsteady interactions are shown to produce similar results to those provided by true-unsteady interactions. Considerable computer resources can be saved for some cases by using quasi-unsteady interactions.

Whitfield, David L.↗