Computation and flow visualization in high-speed aerodynamics

Abstract

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.