Parallel Computation of Supersonic Flows Using a Three-Dimensional, Zonal, Navier-Stokes Code

Abstract

A three-dimensional, time marching, Navier-Stokes code has been developed to solve the flow field around complex geometries using a zonal grid frame-work. This report outlines the development of the new code and describes the application of the code to compute the flow field about a blunt-nosed, axisymmetric body shape. The code extends the computational efficiency of MacCormack's explicit method by incorporating a local variable time-stepping scheme and a new smoothing. Additionally, the code incorporates several features to enhance the convergence rate and minimize the size of the computational grid required for accurate solutions. The computational performance achieved through the efficient utilization of the vector and parallel architecture on the Cray 2 and the Cray Y-MP supercomputers is defined. Comparison of the computations with experimental measurements of surface pressure distribution and boundary layer velocity profiles are presented. Keywords: Projectile aerodynamics; Three dimensional flow; Navier-Stokes equations; Zonal grids; Supercomputers.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA218824

Entities

People

  • Glenn A. Smith
  • Nisheeth R. Patel
  • Walter B. Sturek

Organizations

  • Ballistic Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Boundary Layer
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Equations
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Fluid Flow
  • Geometry
  • Grids
  • Measurement
  • Nose Tips
  • Pressure Distribution
  • Projectiles
  • Specific Heat
  • Supersonic Flow
  • Three Dimensional
  • Two Dimensional
  • Viscous Flow
  • Wind Tunnels

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Finite Element Method (FEM) for solving Partial Differential Equations (PDEs)
  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Parallel and Distributed Computing.

Technology Areas

  • Hypersonics