Search results

This paper aims to show results of numerical simulations of transonic flow around a supercritical airfoil at chord Reynolds number Re_c = 3 × 10⁶, with the aim of elucidating the mechanisms responsible for large-scale shock oscillations, namely, transonic buffet.

Unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes simulations and detached-eddy simulations provide a preliminary buffet map, while a high fidelity implicit large-eddy simulation with an upstream laminar boundary layer is used to ascertain the physical feasibility of the various buffet mechanisms. Numerical experiments with unsteady RANS highlight the role of waves travelling on pressure side in the buffet mechanism. Estimates of the propagation velocities of coherent disturbances and of acoustic waves are obtained, to check the validity of popular mechanisms based on acoustic feedback from the trailing edge.

Unsteady RANS numerical experiments demonstrate that the pressure side of the airfoil plays a marginal role in the buffet mechanism. Implicit LES data show that the only plausible self-sustaining mechanism involves waves scattered from the trailing edge and penetrating the sonic region from above the suction side shock. An interesting side result of this study is that buffet appears to be more intense in the case that the boundary layer state upstream of the shock is turbulent, rather than laminar.

The results of the study will be of interest to any researcher involved with transonic buffet.

The transonic buffet is a complex aerodynamics phenomenon that imposes severe constraints on the design of high-speed vehicles, including for aircraft and space launchers. The origin of buffet is still debated in the literature, and the control of this phenomenon remains difficult. This paper aims to propose an original scenario to explain the origin of buffet, which in turn opens promising perspectives for its alleviation and attenuation.

This work relies on the use of numerical simulations, with the idea to reproduce the buffet phenomenon in a transonic aileron designed for small space launchers. Two numerical approaches are tested: unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) and large-eddy simulation (LES). The numerical predictions are first validated against available experimental data, before to be analysed in detail to identify the origin of buffet on the studied configuration. A complementary numerical study is then conducted to assess the possibility to delay the onset of buffet.

The buffet control strategy is based on wall cooling. By adequately choosing the wall temperature, this work shows that it is feasible to delay the emergence of buffet. More precisely, this paper highlights the crucial role of the subsonic flow inside the boundary layer, showing the existence of upstream travelling pressure waves that are responsible for the flow coupling between both sides of the airfoil, at the origin of the buffet phenomenon.

This paper proposes a new scenario to explain the origin of buffet, based on the use of a Fanno and Rayleigh flow analogies. This approach is used to design a control solution based on a modification of the wall temperature, showing very promising results.

This paper aims to investigate numerical solution of transonic flow around NACA0012 airfoil under sinusoidal pitch oscillation. Accordingly, effects of the amplitude and frequency of oscillations on aerodynamic coefficients are evaluated and the efficiency of the turbulent models, K-ω shear-stress transport (SST), scale adaptive simulation (SAS) and delayed detached eddy simulation (DDES), in simulation of the nonlinear phenomena – i.e. the interaction between shock and boundary layer and the shock oscillations – is studied.

K-ω SST, SAS and DDES models are used as turbulence approaches. The numerical results are compared with available experimental and numerical information.

According to the results inside the buffet boundaries, the DDES turbulent model expresses results that are more appropriate; however, SAS and SST models are not efficient enough in evaluating the characteristics of nonlinear flow.

In this research study, hybrid RANS-LES turbulence model is engaged to simulate transonic flow around pitching NACA0012 airfoil, and results are compared to the SAS and Reynolds Average Navier–Stocks simulations as well as available numerical and experimental data. In addition, effects of the amplitude and frequency of oscillations on aerodynamic coefficients are evaluated in buffet regions.

The development of reusable space launchers requires a comprehensive knowledge of transonic flow effects on the launcher structure, such as buffet. Indeed, the mechanical integrity of the launcher can be compromised by shock wave/boundary layer interactions, that induce lateral forces responsible for plunging and pitching moments.

This paper aims to report numerical and experimental investigations on the aerodynamic and aeroelastic behavior of a diamond airfoil, designed for microsatellite-dedicated launchers, with a particular interest for the fluid/structure interaction during buffeting. Experimental investigations based on Schlieren visualizations are conducted in a transonic wind tunnel and are then compared with numerical predictions based on unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes and large eddy simulation (LES) approaches. The effect of buffeting on the structure is finally studied by solving the equation of the dynamics.

Buffeting is both experimentally and numerically revealed. Experiments highlight 3D oscillations of the shock wave in the manner of a wind-flapping flag. LES computations identify a lambda-shaped shock wave foot width oscillations, which noticeably impact aerodynamic loads. At last, the experiments highlight the chaotic behavior of the shock wave as it shifts from an oscillatory periodic to an erratic 3D flapping state. Fluid structure computations show that the aerodynamic response of the airfoil tends to damp the structural vibrations and to mitigate the effect of buffeting.

While buffeting has been extensively studied for classical supercritical profiles, this study focuses on diamond airfoils. Moreover, a fluid structure computation has been conducted to point out the effect of buffeting.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss a numerical study of the flow over a wing representative of a large civil aircraft at cruise condition. For each Mach number considered, the numerical simulations indicate that critical angle of attack exists where the separated region increases in size and begins to oscillate. This phenomenon, known as transonic shock buffet, is reproduced by the unsteady simulation and much information can be extracted analysing location, amplitude and frequency content of the unsteadiness.

Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes simulations are conducted on a half wing-body configuration, at different Mach numbers and angles of attack. Different turbulence models are considered, and both steady-state results and time-accurate simulations are discussed.

The high number of cases presented in this study allows the creation of a database which, to the authors’ knowledge, has not been documented in literature before. The results indicate that, while high-fidelity approaches can improve the quality of the results, the URANS approach is capable of describing the main features of the buffet phenomenon.

The presence of a turbulence model, despite allowing the description of the main unsteady phenomenon, might be insufficient to fully characterise the unsteadiness present in a transonic flow over a half wing-body configuration. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to verify by means of experimental investigation or high-fidelity approach the results issued from a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations.

The results presented clearly indicate that, despite what proposed in recent research papers, transonic buffet can be described by means of time-accurate Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. Such an approach is popular in the aeronautical industry because of its reduced costs, and could be used for wing design.

In this paper, the authors used a classical approach to tackle the known problem of transonic buffet in three-dimensional configurations. The large number of results presented can be used as a database for future numerical simulations and experiments, and allow to describe the flow-physics of the buffet unsteadiness on a half wing-body configuration.

This paper aims to explore the potential of transition prediction methods for modelling transitional shock wave/boundary layer interactions. The study is fuelled by the strong interest of researchers and airframe manufacturers in reducing the drag of vehicles flying at transonic speeds. The principle of drag reduction via flow laminarity is valid, provided there is no need for the flow to sustain large pressure gradients or shocks. This is true, as laminar boundary layers are less resistant to flow separation.

It is, therefore, worthwhile to assess the performance of CFD methods in modelling laminar boundary layers that can be tripped to turbulent just before an interaction with a shock. In this work, the CFD solver of Liverpool University is used. The method is strongly implicit, and, for this reason, the implementation of intermittency-based models requires special attention. The Navier–Stokes equations, the transport equations of the kinetic energy of turbulence and the turbulent frequency are inverted at the same time as the transport equations for the flow intermittency and the momentum thickness Reynolds number.

The result is stable and robust convergence even for complex three-dimensional flow cases. The method is demonstrated for the flow around the V2C section of the TFAST EU, F7 project. The results suggest that the intermittency-based model captures the fundamental physics of the interaction, but verification and validation are needed to ensure that accurate results can be obtained. For this reason, comparisons with the TFAST experiments is put forward as a means of establishing confidence in the transition prediction tools used for shock/boundary layer interaction simulation.

At the moment, experimental data for transonic transitional buffet are not yet available, although this will change in the near future.

The required CPU time is neither insignificant not prohibitive for routine computations.

Reducing aircraft drag without compromising on stall characteristics will result in lower fuel consumption and contribute to a greener and more economic flight for passengers.

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that transitional buffet has been addressed.

This study aims to investigate the morphing concepts able to manipulate the dynamics of the downstream unsteadiness in the separated shear layers and, in the wake, be able to modify the upstream shock–boundary layer interaction (SBLI) around an A320 morphing prototype to control these instabilities, with emphasis to the attenuation or even suppression of the transonic buffet. The modification of the aerodynamic performances according to a large parametric study carried out at Reynolds number of 4.5 × 10⁶, Mach number of 0.78 and various angles of attack in the range of (0, 2.4)° according to two morphing concepts (travelling waves and trailing edge vibration) are discussed, and the final benefits in aerodynamic performance increase are evaluated.

This article examines through high fidelity (Hi-Fi) numerical simulation the effects of the trailing edge (TE) actuation and of travelling waves along a specific area of the suction side starting from practically the most downstream position of the shock wave motion according to the buffet and extending up to nearly the TE. The present paper studies through spectral analysis the coherent structures development in the near wake and the comparison of the aerodynamic forces to the non-actuated case. Thus, the physical mechanisms of the morphing leading to the increase of the lift-to-drag ratio and the drag and noise sources reduction are identified.

This study investigates the influence of shear-layer and near-wake vortices on the SBLI around an A320 aerofoil and attenuation of the related instabilities thanks to novel morphing: travelling waves generated along the suction side and trailing-edge vibration. A drag reduction of 14% and a lift-to-drag increase in the order of 8% are obtained. The morphing has shown a lift increase in the range of (1.8, 2.5)% for angle of attack of 1.8° and 2.4°, where a significant lift increase of 7.7% is obtained for the angle of incidence of 0° with a drag reduction of 3.66% yielding an aerodynamic efficiency of 11.8%.

This paper presents results of morphing A320 aerofoil, with a chord of 70cm and subjected to two actuation kinds, original in the state of the art at M = 0.78 and Re = 4.5 million. These Hi-Fi simulations are rather rare; a majority of existing ones concern smaller dimensions. This study showed for the first time a modified buffet mode, displaying periodic high-lift “plateaus” interspersed by shorter lift-decrease intervals. Through trailing-edge vibration, this pattern is modified towards a sinusoidal-like buffet, with a considerable amplitude decrease. Lock-in of buffet frequency to the actuation is obtained, leading to this amplitude reduction and a drastic aerodynamic performance increase.

This paper aims to present a numerical method based on computational fluid dynamics that allows investigating the buffet envelope of reference equivalent wings at the equivalent cost of several two-dimensional, unsteady, turbulent flow analyses. The method bridges the gap between semi-empirical relations, generally dominant in the early phases of aircraft design, and three-dimensional turbulent flow analyses, characterised by high costs in analysis setups and prohibitive computing times.

Accuracy in the predictions and efficiency in the solution are two key aspects. Accuracy is maintained by solving a specialised form of the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations valid for infinite-swept wing flows. Efficiency of the solution is reached by a novel implementation of the flow solver, as well as by combining solutions of different fidelity spatially.

Discovering the buffet envelope of a set of reference equivalent wings is accompanied with an estimate of the uncertainties in the numerical predictions. Just over 2,000 processor hours are needed if it is admissible to deal with an uncertainty of ±1.0° in the angle of attack at which buffet onset/offset occurs. Halving the uncertainty requires significantly more computing resources, close to a factor 200 compared with the larger uncertainty case.

To permit the use of the proposed method as a practical design tool in the conceptual/preliminary aircraft design phases, the method offers the designer with the ability to gauge the sensitivity of buffet on primary design variables, such as wing sweep angle and chord to thickness ratio.

The infinite-swept wing, unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations have been successfully applied, for the first time, to identify buffeting conditions. This demonstrates the adequateness of the proposed method in the conceptual/preliminary aircraft design phases.

This paper aims to describe a proposal for an innovative method of normal shock wave–turbulent boundary layer interaction (SBLI) and shock-induced separation control.

The concept is based on the introduction of a tangentially moving wall upstream of the shock wave and in the interaction region. The SBLI control mechanism may be implemented as a closed belt floating on an air cushion, sliding over two cylinders and forming the outer skin of the suction side of the airfoil. The presented exploratory numerical study is conducted with SPARC solver (steady 2D RANS). The effect of the moving wall is presented for the NACA 0012 airfoil operating in transonic conditions.

To assess the accuracy of obtained solutions, validation of the computational model is demonstrated against the experimental data of Harris, Ladson & Hill and Mineck & Hartwich (NASA Langley). The comparison is conducted not only for the reference (impermeable) but also for the perforated (permeable) surface NACA 0012 airfoils. Subsequent numerical analysis of SBLI control by moving wall confirms that for the selected velocity ratios, the method is able to improve the shock-upstream boundary layer and counteract flow separation, significantly increasing the airfoil aerodynamic performance.

The moving wall concept as a means of normal shock wave–turbulent boundary layer interaction and shock-induced separation control has been investigated in detail for the first time. The study quantified the necessary operational requirements of such a system and practicable aerodynamic efficiency gains and simultaneously revealed the considerable potential of this promising idea, stimulating a new direction for future investigations regarding SBLI control.

The purpose of this paper is to use a computational technique to simulate the flow in a two-dimensional (2D) wind tunnel where the effect of the solid walls facing the model has been addressed using a porous geometry so that interference arriving at the solid walls are duly damped and a flow suction procedure has been adopted at the side wall to minimize the span-wise effect of the growing side wall boundary layer.

A CFD procedure based on discretization of the Navier–Stokes equations has been used to model the flow in a rectangular volume with appropriate treatment for solid walls of the confined volume in which the model is placed. The rectangular volume was configured by stacking O-Grid sections in a span-wise direction using geometric growth from the wall. A porous wall condition has been adapted to counter the wall interference signatures and a separate suction procedure has been implemented for reducing the side wall boundary layer effects.

It has been shown that through such corrective measures, the flow in a wind tunnel can be adequately simulated using computational modeling. Computed results were compared against experimental measurements obtained from IAR (Institute for Aerospace, Canada) and NAL (National Aeronautical Laboratory, Japan) to show that indeed appropriate corrective means may be adapted to reduce the interference effects.

The solutions seemed to converge a lot better using relatively coarser grids which placed the shock locations closer to the experimental values. The finer grids were more stiff to converge and resulted in reversed flow with the two equation k-w model in the region where the intention was to draw out the fluid to thin down the boundary layer. The one equation Spalart–Allmaras model gave better result when porosity and wall suction routines were implemented.

This method could be used by industry to point check the results against certain demanding flow conditions and then used for more routine parametric studies at other conditions. The method would prove to be efficient and economical during early design stages of a configuration.

The method makes use of an O-grid to represent the confined test section and its dual treatment of wall interference and blockage effects through simultaneous application of porosity and boundary layer suction is believed to be quite original.