Adaptive Harmonic Balance Method for Unsteady, Nonlinear, One-Dimensional Periodic Flows

Abstract

A new adaptive split-domain harmonic balance computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method is developed to solve highly nonlinear time-periodic flows such as those found in turbomachinery. The basic harmonic balance CFD method transforms an unsteady time-periodic problem into a steady-state problem by assuming a solution in the form of a Fourier series in time. The new method employs a unique multi-domain split-operator solution technique to remove a large-series stability restriction present in previous harmonic balance CFD approaches. In addition, the new method adapts the frequency content to the flow, starting with a small number of Fourier frequencies and augmenting the frequency content in each cell as necessary to capture local flow physics. The method reduces compute times by allowing larger integration time steps, eliminating Fourier transforms, and reducing overall problem size. The stability and accuracy of the method are verified with solutions to the 1-D inviscid Burger's equation and 1-D Euler's equation. Accurate adapted quasi-1-D Euler solutions for a supersonic/subsonic diverging nozzle with periodic unsteady outflow conditions are generated in 86% less time than an equivalent non-adapted split-domain solution, demonstrating the performance benefit of matching frequency content to the local flow conditions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA406307

Entities

People

  • Raymond C. Maple

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Air Force
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Computational Science
  • Differential Equations
  • Equations
  • Euler Equations
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Fluid Flow
  • Fourier Series
  • Frequency
  • Partial Differential Equations
  • Pressure Distribution
  • Steady State
  • Turbomachinery
  • Two Dimensional
  • United States Strategic Command

Readers

  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
  • Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics.

Technology Areas

  • Hypersonics