Computation and flow visualization in high-speed aerodynamics

This paper relates to numerical simulations and flow visualizations of internal and external high-speed aerodynamics. Fully compressible Navier–Stokes solvers using high-order shock-capturing schemes and turbulence models are developed for solving gas-dynamics problems. Numerical schlieren pictures, as well as computed interferogram techniques, are used to visualize the major features of physical phenomena occurring in such flows. A variety of test problems encountered in supersonic flows, such as supersonic turbulence including shock/shock and shock/boundary layer interactions, shear-layer instability and transient flows are considered. Some of the numerical visualization results constructed from computed Navier–Stokes flow-fields are directly compared with experimental images. Most of the features observed in the experiment are accurately reproduced by the simulations. The results of this study provide a better understanding of the main characteristics of complex flows that are not easily accessible experimentally, and may be useful for flow controlling and practical aerodynamics design and improvement.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the Regional Council of Haute Normandie (France) for their financial support under convention CPIBP-99 Contrat de Plan Interrégional Bassin Parisien. Computational facilities were provided by CRIHAN (Centre de Ressources Informatiques de HAute Normandie, Rouen).