One-way Navier-Stokes for transition prediction in high-speed boundary layers
Abstract
The prediction of laminar-turbulent transition in high-speed boundary layers is a key-factor for controlling aerodynamic forces and heating on ballistic and reentry vehicles and high-speed reconnaissance aircraft, directly impacting vehicle maneuverability and weight. Current lost-cost approaches to predicting the early, linear stages of transition, such as the parabolized stability equations (PSE) can be inaccurate or incomplete in representing the important physics, while high-fidelity approaches like direct numerical simulation (DNS) are too computationally intensive for optimization and engineering design. We propose to apply our novel framework, the One-Way Navier-Stokes (OWNS) equations, to predict linear disturbance evolution in highspeed boundary layers. The OWNS framework alleviates deficiencies associated with PSE and accurately predicts the general linear evolution of disturbances, including modal, non-modal, and multi-modal interactions of vortical, entropic, and acoustic disturbances, at a fraction of the cost of global methods or DNS. Previous work has demonstrated favorable performance of OWNS for the prediction of the linear growth of disturbances in flat-plate and swept-wing boundary layers for subsonic and supersonic regimes. In this work, we will apply OWNS to hypersonic boundary layers. In the proposal, we demonstrate excellent agreement with DNS for canonical hypersonic boundary layer and propose research that will extended these results to more complex cases such as flared and blunt cones, cones at angle of attack, and, ultimately, the BOLT hypersonic flight vehicle. The results will be corroborated with corresponding DNS, experimental efforts, and flight tests being conducted in the hypersonics community. We will investigate transition scenarios by finding optimal, worst-case disturbances leading to maximal growth of energy. Our calculations will provide needed inputs for transition prediction and a detailed understanding of mechanisms by which transition might be controlled in order to enhance performance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 02, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112158
Entities
People
- Tim Colonius
Organizations
- California Institute of Technology
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy