Viscous Simulation Method for Unsteady Flows Past Multicomponent Configurations

An algorithm is developed to obtain numerical simulations of flows about complex configurations composed of multiple and nonsimilar components with arbitrary geometries. The algorithm uses a hybridization of the domain decomposition techniques for grid generation and to reduce the computer memory requirement. Three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged, unsteady, compressible, and full Navier-Stokes equations are solved on each of the subdomains by a fully vectorized, finite-volume, upwind-biased, approximately factored, and multigrid method. The effect of Reynolds stresses is incorporated through an algebraic turbulence model with several modifications for interference flows. The algorithm is applied to simulate supersonic flows past an ogive-nose-cylinder near or inside a cavity. The cylinder is attached to an offset L-shaped sting when placed above the cavity opening. The unsteady nature of these flowfields and the interaction of the cavity shear layer with the cylinder are simulated. These cases illustrate two significantly different and important interference characteristics for an internally carried store separating from its parent body. Unsteadiness of the cavity flow has a more pronounced effect on the normal forces acting on the cylinder when the cylinder is placed inside the cavity. The time averaged surface pressures compare favorably with the wind tunnel data, despite the averaging time period for the computations being three orders of magnitude smaller than that of the experimental measurements.