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At least 217 records · Page 12

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NASA NTRS1988

Adaptive mesh generation for viscous flows using Delaunay triangulation

A method for generating an unstructured triangular mesh in two dimensions, suitable for computing high Reynolds number flows over arbitrary configurations is presented. The method is based on a Delaunay triangulation, which is performed in a locally stretched space, in order to obtain very high aspect ratio triangles in the boundary layer and the wake regions. It is shown how the method can be coupled with an unstructured Navier-Stokes solver to produce a solution adaptive mesh generation procedure for viscous flows.

Mavriplis, Dimitri J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Experimental and predicted aerodynamic characteristics of a proposed Assured Crew Return Vehicle (ACRV) lifting-body configuration at Mach 6 and 10

The effects of Mach number, Reynolds number, and ratio of specific heats on the aerodynamic characteristics of a proposed Assured Crew Return Vehicle (ACRV) lifting-body configuration were examined for a range of angles of attack from -5 deg to 50 deg. Predictions made with a Langley-developed, three-dimensional Navier Stokes solver known as LAURA, which was exercised as an Euler solver for the present study, are compared with the experimental results. Unlike the Shuttle Orbiter, which experienced a significant nose-up increment in pitching moment with decreasing specific heat ratio (i.e., real gas effects), the aerodynamic characteristics of this lifting-body configuration are insensitive to changes in specific heat ratio. The maximum trimmed lift-to-drag ratio achieved was about 1.5. Predicted inviscid values of aerodynamic coefficients were generally in good agreement with measurement.

Micol, John R.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Stability of compressible boundary layers over a smooth backward-facing step

An investigation is conducted into the determination of the credibility of interacting boundary layers in predicting compressible subsonic flows over smooth surface imperfections. The case of smooth backward-facing steps is considered. The predicted mean flows are compared with those obtained using a Navier-Stokes solver. Moreover, the linear 2-D compressible stability characteristics of both mean flows are compared. The results show that the interacting boundary-layer formulation produces accurate mean flows that yield accurate linear stability characteristics, such as growth rates and amplification factors.

Ragab, S. A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Algebraic turbulence modeling for unstructured and adaptive meshes

An algebraic turbulence model based on the Baldwin-Lomax model, has been implemented for use on unstructured grids. The implementation is based on the use of local background structured turbulence meshes. At each time-step, flow variables are interpolated from the unstructured mesh onto the background structured meshes, the turbulence model is executed on these meshes, and the resulting eddy viscosity values are interpolated back to the unstructured mesh. Modifications to the algebraic model were required to enable the treatment of more complicated flows, such as confluent boundary layers and wakes. The model is used in conjuction with an efficient unstructured multigrid finite-element Navier-Stokes solver in order to compute compressible turbulent flows on fully unstructured meshes. Solutions about single and multiple element airfoils are obtained and compared with experimental data.

Mavriplis, Dimitri J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Adaptive mesh generation for viscous flows using Delaunay triangulation

Mavriplis, Dimitri J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Turbulent flow calculations using unstructured and adaptive meshes

A method of efficiently computing turbulent compressible flow over complex two dimensional configurations is presented. The method makes use of fully unstructured meshes throughout the entire flow-field, thus enabling the treatment of arbitrarily complex geometries and the use of adaptive meshing techniques throughout both viscous and inviscid regions of flow-field. Mesh generation is based on a locally mapped Delaunay technique in order to generate unstructured meshes with highly-stretched elements in the viscous regions. The flow equations are discretized using a finite element Navier-Stokes solver, and rapid convergence to steady-state is achieved using an unstructured multigrid algorithm. Turbulence modeling is performed using an inexpensive algebraic model, implemented for use on unstructured and adaptive meshes. Compressible turbulent flow solutions about multiple-element airfoil geometries are computed and compared with experimental data.

Mavriplis, Dimitri J.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Navier-Stokes solutions for flows related to store separation

The objective is developing CFD capabilities to obtain solutions for viscous flows about generic configurations of internally and externally carried stores. The emphasis is placed on the supersonic flow regime with extensions being made to the transonic regime. The project is broken into four steps: (1) Cavity flows for internal carriage configurations; (2) High angle of attack flows, which may be experienced during the separation of the stores: (3) Flows about a body near a flat plate for external carriage configurations; and (4) Flows about a body inside or in the proximity of a cavity. Three-dimensional unsteady cavity flow solutions are obtained by an explicit, MacCormack algorithm, EMCAV3, for open, close, and transitional cavities. High angle of attack flows past cylinders are solved by an implicit, upwind algorithm. All the results compare favorably with the experimental data. For flows about multiple body configurations, the Chimera embedding scheme is modified for finite-volume and multigrid algorithms, MaGGiE. Then a finite volume, implicit, upwind, multigrid Navier-Stokes solver which uses on overlapped/embedded and zonal grids, VUMXZ3, is developed from the CFL3D code. Supersonic flows past a cylinder near a flat plate are computed using this code. The results are compared with the experimental data. Currently the VUMXZ3 code is being modified to accomplish step 4 of this project. Wind tunnel experiments are also being conducted for validation purposes.

Baysal, Oktay↗

NASA NTRS1989

Progress in computing nozzle/plume flow fields

The long-term goal is to develop the capability to predict chemically-reacting, multi-stream nozzle and plume flow fields. Two basic Navier-Stokes solvers, including the widely used F-3D code, are upgraded to include several upwind difference schemes and portable chemistry packages. Current computational capabilities for solving equilibrium single-stream and multi-stream, frozen gas, and finite rate chemistry problems are described. A variety of complex nozzle and plume flows were computed. Solutions presented include axisymmetric plume flow for ideal and equilibrium air, 3-D NASP nozzle/afterbody flow, and an internal nozzle calculation comparing various finite-rate chemistry packages.

Ruffin, Stephen M.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Numerical study of unsteady shockwave reflections using an upwind TVD scheme

An unsteady TVD Navier-Stokes solver was developed and applied to the problem of shock reflection on a circular cylinder. The obtained numerical results were compared with the Schlieren photos from an experimental study. These results show that the present computer code has the ability of capturing moving shocks.

Hsu, Andrew T.↗

NASA NTRS1991

An upwind-biased space marching algorithm for supersonic viscous flow

The modifications are documented which were made to the Langley Aerothermodynamic Upwind Relaxation Algorithm which allow it to compute solutions in a space marching manner. The space marching flux is formulated to be either first- or second-order accurate, using Roe's upwind differencing or Symmetric Total Variation Diminishing differencing, respectively. The algorithm solves the thin layer Navier-Stokes equations, and is subject to the same flow restrictions as a parabolized Navier-Stokes solver. Each cross flow plane is locally iterated in time until converged, then marched in space to the next station. The algorithm is tested on a sphere-cone geometry and a geometry which models the windward side of the Space Shuttle Orbiter. Computational results for surface heating are compared to ground based experimental data. In addition, space marching predictions for surface pressure are compared against values from the original algorithm.

Greene, Francis A.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Performance of a high-work, low-aspect-ratio turbine stator tested with a realistic inlet radial temperature gradient

A 0.767-scale model of a turbine stator designed for the core of a high-bypass-ratio aircraft engine was tested with uniform inlet conditions and with an inlet radial temperature profile simulating engine conditions. The principal measurements were radial and circumferential surveys of stator-exit total temperature, total pressure, and flow angle. The stator-exit flow field was also computed by using a three-dimensional Navier-Stokes solver. Other than temperature, there were no apparent differences in performance due to the inlet conditions. The computed results compared quite well with the experimental results.

Stabe, Roy G.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Flux-vector splitting for the 1990s

The development of flux-vector splitting through the 1970s and 1980s is reviewed. Attention is given to the diffusive nature of flux-vector splitting, which makes it an undesirable technique for approximating the inviscid fluxes in a Navier-Stokes solver. Several proposed improvements, including a brand new one, are discussed and illustrated by a simple, yet revealing, numerical test case. Finally, an outlook for flux-vector splitting in the 1990s is presented.

Vanleer, Bram↗

NASA NTRS1991

Simulation of iced wing aerodynamics

The sectional and total aerodynamic load characteristics of moderate aspect ratio wings with and without simulated glaze leading edge ice were studied both computationally, using a three dimensional, compressible Navier-Stokes solver, and experimentally. The wing has an untwisted, untapered planform shape with NACA 0012 airfoil section. The wing has an unswept and swept configuration with aspect ratios of 4.06 and 5.0. Comparisons of computed surface pressures and sectional loads with experimental data for identical configurations are given. The abrupt decrease in stall angle of attack for the wing, as a result of the leading edge ice formation, was demonstrated numerically and experimentally.

Potapczuk, M. G.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Effects of inlet distortion on the development of secondary flows in a subsonic axial inlet compressor rotor

Detailed flow measurements were taken inside an isolated axial compressor rotor operating subsonically near peak efficiency. Laser anemometer measurements were made with two inlet velocity profiles. One profile consisted of an unmodified baseline flow, and the second profile was distorted by placing axisymmetric screens on the hub and shroud well upstream of the rotor. A primary flow is defined in the rotor and deviations from this primary flow for each inlet flow condition identified. A comparison between the two flow deviations is made to assess the development of a passage vortex due to the distortion of the inlet flow. A comparison of experimental results with computational predictions from a Navier-Stokes solver showed good agreement between predicted and measured flow. Measured results indicate that a distorted inlet profile has minimal effect on the development of the flow in the rotor passage and the resulting passage vortex.

Owen, Albert K.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Development of iterative techniques for the solution of unsteady compressible viscous flows

Efficient iterative solution methods are being developed for the numerical solution of two- and three-dimensional compressible Navier-Stokes equations. Iterative time marching methods have several advantages over classical multi-step explicit time marching schemes, and non-iterative implicit time marching schemes. Iterative schemes have better stability characteristics than non-iterative explicit and implicit schemes. Thus, the extra work required by iterative schemes can also be designed to perform efficiently on current and future generation scalable, missively parallel machines. An obvious candidate for iteratively solving the system of coupled nonlinear algebraic equations arising in CFD applications is the Newton method. Newton's method was implemented in existing finite difference and finite volume methods. Depending on the complexity of the problem, the number of Newton iterations needed per step to solve the discretized system of equations can, however, vary dramatically from a few to several hundred. Another popular approach based on the classical conjugate gradient method, known as the GMRES (Generalized Minimum Residual) algorithm is investigated. The GMRES algorithm was used in the past by a number of researchers for solving steady viscous and inviscid flow problems with considerable success. Here, the suitability of this algorithm is investigated for solving the system of nonlinear equations that arise in unsteady Navier-Stokes solvers at each time step. Unlike the Newton method which attempts to drive the error in the solution at each and every node down to zero, the GMRES algorithm only seeks to minimize the L2 norm of the error. In the GMRES algorithm the changes in the flow properties from one time step to the next are assumed to be the sum of a set of orthogonal vectors. By choosing the number of vectors to a reasonably small value N (between 5 and 20) the work required for advancing the solution from one time step to the next may be kept to (N+1) times that of a noniterative scheme. Many of the operations required by the GMRES algorithm such as matrix-vector multiplies, matrix additions and subtractions can all be vectorized and parallelized efficiently.

Sankar, Lakshmi N.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Numerical simulation of particle-wave interaction in boundary layers

The effects of wall injection and particle motion on the spatial stability of two-dimensional plane channel flow are investigated. For this purpose, an accurate Navier-Stokes solver to simulate the space-time evolution of disturbances in three-dimensional flows has been developed. The code is operational on the NASA Langley CRAY2 and can be ported to any other supercomputer. The code has been tested extensively in tracking the spatial evolution of two-dimensional disturbances in plane channel flow and provided excellent agreement with the linear theory including at the inflow/outflow boundaries. Preliminary calculations have been performed to investigate the effects of stationary and moving sources of vortical disturbances simulating a particle traveling in the flow field. Results suggest that even at very low amplitudes, vortical disturbances act as amplifiers on the Tollmien-Schlichting waves promoting rapid instability. It is also found that slow moving particles are more dangerous than both stationary and fast moving particles for the same disturbance levels.

Biringen, S.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Computation of Space Shuttle high-pressure cryogenic turbopump ball bearing two-phase coolant flow

A homogeneous two-phase fluid flow model, implemented in a three-dimensional Navier-Stokes solver using computational fluid dynamics methodology is described. The application of the model to the analysis of the pump-end bearing coolant flow of the high-pressure oxygen turbopump of the Space Shuttle main engine is studied. Results indicate large boiling zones and hot spots near the ball/race contact points. The extent of the phase change of the liquid oxygen coolant flow due to the frictional and viscous heat fluxes near the contact areas has been investigated for the given inlet conditions of the coolant.

Chen, Yen-Sen↗

NASA NTRS1990

A patched-grid algorithm for complex aircraft configurations

A patched-grid algorithm for the analysis of complex configurations with an implicit, upwind-biased Navier-Stokes solver is presented. Through the use of a generalized coordinate transformation at the zonal interface between two or more blocks, the algorithm can be applied to highly stretched viscous grids and to arbitrarily-shaped patch boundaries. Applications are made to the SR71 reconnaissance aircraft in a high-altitude environment at a supersonic speed and to the F/A-18 forebody-strake configuration at subsonic, high-alpha conditions, in support of the NASA High-Alpha Research Program.

Walters, Robert W.↗