Pseudo-direct solution to the boundary-layer equations for separated flow

Abstract

This paper describes a procedure for the automatic iteration of an inverse boundary-layer technique to a prescribed pressure distribution in a separated flow. The technique is demonstrated by computation of two transonic airfoil flows and two externally generated shock boundary-layer interaction flows. These results are compared to experimental data and to solutions of the full Navier-Stokes equations. These comparisons indicate that substantial economies can be obtained by applying methods like the present, in lieu of full Navier-Stokes methods, in zonal calculation schemes for design purposes. The optimization technique leading to convergence is described in detail and a table of typical computation time is presented.