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11 – 20 of over 1000
Article
Publication date: 1 August 2003

Nahidh Hamid Sharif and Nils‐Erik Wiberg

A numerical model is presented for the computation of unsteady two‐fluid interfaces in nonlinear porous media flow. The nonlinear Forchheimer equation is included in the…

Abstract

A numerical model is presented for the computation of unsteady two‐fluid interfaces in nonlinear porous media flow. The nonlinear Forchheimer equation is included in the Navier‐Stokes equations for porous media flow. The model is based on capturing the interface on a fixed mesh domain. The zero level set of a pseudo‐concentration function, which defines the interface between the two fluids, is governed by a time‐dependent advection equation. The time‐dependent Navier‐Stokes equations and the advection equation are spatially discretized by the finite element (FE) method. The fully coupled implicit time integration scheme and the explicit forward Eulerian scheme are implemented for the advancement in time. The trapezoidal rule is applied to the fully implicit scheme, while the operator‐splitting algorithm is used for the velocity‐pressure segregation in the explicit scheme. The spatial and time discretizations are stabilized using FE stabilization techniques. Numerical examples of unsteady flow of two‐fluid interfaces in an earth dam are investigated.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 20 no. 5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 July 2021

Francesco Capizzano and Triyantono Sucipto

This paper aims to describe a research effort towards the comprehension of the unsteady phenomena due to the deployment of high-lift devices at approach/landing conditions.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to describe a research effort towards the comprehension of the unsteady phenomena due to the deployment of high-lift devices at approach/landing conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The work starts from a preexisting platform based on an immersed boundary (IB) method whose capabilities are extended to study compressible and viscous flows around moving/deforming objects. A hybrid Lagrangian-Eulerian approach is designed to consider the motion of multiple bodies through a fixed Cartesian mesh. That is, the cells’ volumes do not move in space but rather they observe the solid walls crossing themselves. A dynamic discrete forcing makes use of a moving least-square procedure which has been validated by simulating well-known benchmarks available for rigid body motions. Partitioned fluid-structure interactions (FSI) strategies are explored to consider aeroelastic phenomena. A shared platform, between the aerodynamic and the structural solvers, fulfils the loads’ transfer and drives the sequence of the operating steps.

Findings

The first part of the results is devoted to a basic two-dimensional study aiming at evaluating the accuracy of the method when simple rigid motions are prescribed. Afterwards, the paper discusses the solution obtained when applying the dynamic IB method to the rigid deployment of a Krueger-flap. The final section discusses the aeroelastic behaviour of a three-element airfoil during its deployment phase. A loose FSI coupling is applied for estimating the possible loads’ downgrade.

Research limitations/implications

The IB surfaces are allowed to move less than one IB-cell size at each time-step de-facto restricting the Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy (CFL) based on the wall velocity to be smaller than unity. The violation of this constraint would impair the explicit character of the method.

Practical implications

The proposed method improves automation in FSI numerical analysis and relaxes the human expertise/effort for meshing the computational domain around complex three-dimensional geometries. The logical consequence is an overall speed-up of the simulation process.

Originality/value

The value of the paper consists in demonstrating the applicability of dynamic IB techniques for studying high-lift devices. In particular, the proposed Cartesian method does not want to compete with body-conforming ones whose accuracy remains generally superior. Rather, the merit of this research is to propose a fast and automatic simulation system as a viable alternative to classic multi-block structured, chimaera or unstructured tools.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 94 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 May 2018

Chawki Abdessemed, Yufeng Yao, Abdessalem Bouferrouk and Pritesh Narayan

The purpose of this paper is to use dynamic meshing to perform CFD analyses of a NACA 0012 airfoil fitted with a morphing trailing edge (TE) flap when it undergoes static and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use dynamic meshing to perform CFD analyses of a NACA 0012 airfoil fitted with a morphing trailing edge (TE) flap when it undergoes static and time-dependent morphing. The steady CFD predictions of the original and morphing airfoils are validated against published data. The study also investigates an airfoil with a hinged TE flap for aerodynamic performance comparison. The study further extends to an unsteady CFD analysis of a dynamically morphing TE flap for proof-of-concept and also to realise its potential for future applications.

Design/methodology/approach

An existing parametrization method was modified and implemented in a user-defined function (UDF) to perform dynamic meshing which is essential for morphing airfoil unsteady simulations. The results from the deformed mesh were verified to ensure the validity of the adopted mesh deformation method. ANSYS Fluent software was used to perform steady and unsteady analysis and the results were compared with computational predictions.

Findings

Steady computational results are in good agreement with those from OpenFOAM for a non-morphing airfoil and for a morphed airfoil with a maximum TE deflection equal to 5 per cent of the chord. The results obtained by ANSYS Fluent show that an average of 6.5 per cent increase in lift-to-drag ratio is achieved, compared with a hinged flap airfoil with the same TE deflection. By using dynamic meshing, unsteady transient simulations reveal that the local flow field is influenced by the morphing motion.

Originality/value

An airfoil parametrisation method was modified to introduce time-dependent morphing and used to drive dynamic meshing through an in-house-developed UDF. The morphed airfoil’s superior aerodynamic performance was demonstrated in comparison with traditional hinged TE flap. A methodology was developed to perform unsteady transient analysis of a morphing airfoil at high angles of attack beyond stall and to compare with published data. Unsteady predictions have shown signs of rich flow features, paving the way for further research into the effects of a dynamic flap on the flow physics.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 28 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 October 2019

Lisha He, Jianjing Zheng, Yao Zheng, Jianjun Chen, Xuan Zhou and Zhoufang Xiao

The purpose of this paper is to develop parallel algorithms for moving boundary simulations by local remeshing and compose them to a fully parallel simulation cycle for the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop parallel algorithms for moving boundary simulations by local remeshing and compose them to a fully parallel simulation cycle for the solution of problems with engineering interests.

Design/methodology/approach

The moving boundary problems are solved by unsteady flow computations coupled with six-degrees-of-freedom equations of rigid body motion. Parallel algorithms are developed for both computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solution and grid deformation steps. Meanwhile, a novel approach is developed for the parallelization of the local remeshing step. It inputs a distributed mesh after deformation, then marks low-quality elements to be deleted on the respective processors. After that, a parallel domain decomposition approach is used to repartition the hole mesh and then to redistribute the resulting sub-meshes onto all available processors. Then remesh individual sub-holes in parallel. Finally, the element redistribution is rebalanced.

Findings

If the CFD solver is parallelized while the remaining steps are executed in sequential, the performance bottleneck of such a simulation cycle is observed when the simulation of large-scale problem is executed. The developed parallel simulation cycle, in which all of time-consuming steps have been efficiently parallelized, could overcome these bottlenecks, in terms of both memory consumption and computing efficiency.

Originality/value

A fully parallel approach for moving boundary simulations by local remeshing is developed to solve large-scale problems. In the algorithm level, a novel parallel local remeshing algorithm is present. It repartitions distributed hole elements evenly onto all available processors and ensures the generation of a well-shaped inter-hole boundary always. Therefore, the subsequent remeshing step can fix the inter-hole boundary involves no communications.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 36 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2002

M. Mulas, S. Chibbaro, G. Delussu, I. Di Piazza and M. Talice

This paper presents a unified numerical method able to address a wide class of fluid flow problems of engineering interest. Arbitrary fluids are treated specifying totally…

Abstract

This paper presents a unified numerical method able to address a wide class of fluid flow problems of engineering interest. Arbitrary fluids are treated specifying totally arbitrary equations of state, either in analytical form or through look‐up tables. The most general system of the unsteady Navier–Stokes equations is integrated with a coupled implicit preconditioned method. The method can stand infinite CFL number and shows the efficiency of a quasi‐Newton method independent of the multi‐block partitioning on parallel machines. Computed test cases ranging from inviscid hydrodynamics, to natural convection loops of liquid metals, and to supersonic gasdynamics, show a solution efficiency independent of the class of fluid flow problem.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 12 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 September 2015

Elteyeb Eljack, Ibraheem AlQadi and Mahmood Khalid

The purpose of this paper is to identifying ways to reduce the effects of wing-vortex interaction by applying surface porosity on selected areas of the exposed surface. A number…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identifying ways to reduce the effects of wing-vortex interaction by applying surface porosity on selected areas of the exposed surface. A number of papers recently have investigated the aerodynamic implication of free-stream vortices impinging upon airfoils.

Design/methodology/approach

The free-stream disturbance in these studies were represented by planting a vortex ahead of the wing or using some other disturbance invoking mechanism like von-Karman vortices in the wake of a cylinder or using a flipping plate to invoke a discrete vortex. In the present work, a well-defined method was used to germinate a system of controlled vortices of known strength, size and frequency ahead of the wing, and the impact of the subsequent interaction was studied with and without the presence of the surface porosity. The simulations tackled a number of cases when porosities of up to 20 and 22 per cent were applied to selected regions near the leading edge, with vortices of controlled strengths directed at the wing surface.

Findings

The results showed that the effects of large vortices spanning the entire lengths of the wing can indeed be damped when porosity is selectively applied at strategic regions.

Practical implications

Surface porosity application at strategic regions of a wing may dampen the effects of the unsteadiness of the incoming flow. This has profound implications on flight safety and structural damage prevention. Further implications could possibly be extended to UAV and wind turbines that operate at heavy gusting environment.

Originality/value

Implementation of this particular method resolves some of the issues arisen when an airplane encounters atmospheric turbulence.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, vol. 87 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 April 2015

Yexiang Xiao, Zhengwei Wang, Jidi Zeng, jintai Zheng, Jiayang Lin and Lanjin Zhang

The purpose of this paper is to experimentally and numerically investigate the interference characteristics between two ski-jump jets on the flip bucket in a large dam spillway…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to experimentally and numerically investigate the interference characteristics between two ski-jump jets on the flip bucket in a large dam spillway when two floodgates are running.

Design/methodology/approach

The volume of fluid (VOF) method together with the Realizable k-ε turbulence model were used to predict the flow in two ski-jump jets and the free surface motion in a large dam spillway. The movements of the two gates were simulated using a dynamic mesh controlled by a User Defined Function (UDF). The simulations were run using the prototype dam as the field test to minimize errors due to scale effects. The simulation results are compared with field test observations.

Findings

The transient flow calculations, accurately predict the two gate discharges compared to field data with the predicted ski-jump jet interference flow pattern similar to the observed shapes. The transient simulations indicate that the main reason for the deflected nappe is the larger opening difference between the two gates as the buttress side gate closes. When both gates are running, the two ski-jump jets interfere in the flip bucket and raise the jet nappe to near the buttress to form a secondary flow on this jet nappe surface. As the gate continues to close, the nappe surface continues to rise and the surface secondary flow become stronger, which deflects the nappe over the side buttress.

Originality/value

A dynamic mesh is used to simulate the transient flow behavior of two prototype running gates. The transient flow simulation clarifies the hydraulics mechanism for how the two ski-jump jets interfere and deflect the nappe.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 32 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1997

J. Vuillon and D. Zeitoun

High‐power chemical lasers operating in high repetitive rate show a decrease of the output energy laser beam. In such lasers, the characteristic time which depends on the laser…

Abstract

High‐power chemical lasers operating in high repetitive rate show a decrease of the output energy laser beam. In such lasers, the characteristic time which depends on the laser output is short in comparison with those related to the flow. Consequently, shock waves, acoustic waves and thermal perturbations, induced by the strong electric energy deposition and remaining in the laser cavity between two pulses, may explain the decrease of output energy of the laser beam. For a better understanding of the flowfields, a numerical approach is carried out using flux corrected transport algorithms (FCT methods) associated with a Riemann solver on the computational domain boundaries. Under two‐dimensional assumptions, the inviscid flow in the convergent‐divergent laser cavity is computed to describe the creation and propagation of the wave system and the hot gas column in both single and multidischarge operating modes. Distortions of the contact surfaces are put into evidence through the study of flowfield instabilities. Finally, the limitations of the two‐dimensional modelization become apparent. The numerical resolution is extended to a 3D case in order to take into account the optical direction. This allows to study the influence of shock waves travelling between optics and being generated by a side effect developing at the electrodes. These waves have an effect of long duration on the flowfield and lead to a high residual perturbation level.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 7 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 2006

Masoud Mirzaei, Babak Najafie Nia and Abodollah Shadaram

This research aims to investigate numerically the influence of braking jets on separation process of a flying object.

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to investigate numerically the influence of braking jets on separation process of a flying object.

Design/methodology/approach

The flying object is at supersonic regime and axial separation of its stages is accomplished with the aid of braking jets of separated stage. The simulation is three‐dimensional and relative motion of the stages is considered three degree of freedom. Full Navier‐Stokes equations in conjunction with κε (RNG) turbulence model equations are considered as governing equations. These equations are solved using the finite volume technique. The separation process is analysed as an unsteady process and the problem is solved in a moving grid domain. The local remeshing method is adapted to regenerate computational cells around moving boundaries.

Findings

Time history of flow field around the vehicle components, time history of aerodynamic coefficients, and instantaneous relative position of the body components are the results of this research. Numerical modelling results are compared with the results of other references.

Originality/value

Most of the similar works in this area have used Euler or thin layer Navier‐Stokes (TLNS) equations as governing equations and the use of full Navier‐Stokes equations to analyse such a complicated problem (3D axial separation with braking jets) have not been reported in the literature. Since there are some recirculation zones inside the flow field and Euler or even TLNS equations cannot predict their behaviours, the use of full Navier‐Stokes equations may lead to more accurate prediction of these regions and aerodynamic forces.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 78 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 July 2015

He-yong Xu, Shi-long Xing and Zheng-yin Ye

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and improve a new method of unstructured rotational dynamic overset grids, which can be used to simulate the unsteady flows around…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and improve a new method of unstructured rotational dynamic overset grids, which can be used to simulate the unsteady flows around rotational parts of aircraft.

Design/methodology/approach

The computational domain is decomposed into two sub-domains, namely, the rotational sub-domain which contains the rotational boundaries, and the stationary sub-domain which contains the remainder flow field including the stationary boundaries. The artificial boundaries and restriction boundaries are used as the restriction condition to generate the entire computational grid, and then the overset grids are established according to the radius parameters of artificial boundaries set previously. The deformation of rotational boundary is treated by using the linear spring analogy method which is suitable for the dynamic unstructured grid. The unsteady Navier-Stokes/Euler equations are solved separately in the rotational sub-domain and stationary sub-domain, and data coupling is accomplished through the overlapping area. The least squares method is used to interpolate the flow variables for the artificial boundary points with a higher calculating precision. Implicit lower-upper symmetric-Gauss-Seidel (LU-SGS) time stepping scheme is implemented to accelerate the inner iteration during the unsteady simulation.

Findings

The airfoil steady flow, airfoil pitching unsteady flow, three-dimensional (3-D) rotor flow field, rotor-fuselage interaction unsteady flow field and the flutter exciting system unsteady flow field are numerically simulated, and the results have good agreements with the experimental data. It is shown that the present method is valid and efficient for the prediction of complicated unsteady problems which contain rotational dynamic boundaries.

Research limitations/implications

The results are entirely based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and the 3D simulations are based on the Euler equations in which the viscous effect is ignored. The current work shows further applicable potential to simulate unsteady flow around rotational parts of aircraft.

Practical implications

The current study can be used to simulate the two-dimensional airfoil pitching, 3-D rotor flow field, rotor-fuselage interaction and the flutter exciting system unsteady flow. The work will help the aircraft designer to get the unsteady flow character around rotational parts of aircraft.

Originality/value

A new type of rotational dynamic overset grids is presented and validated, and the current work has a significant contribution to the development of unstructured rotational dynamic overset grids.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, vol. 87 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Keywords

11 – 20 of over 1000