Direct numerical simulation of flow over a triangular airfoil under martian atmospheric conditions
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Martian conditions present various challenges when designing rotorcraft. Specifically, the thin atmosphere and low sound speed require Martian rotor blades to operate in a low Reynolds number (1,000 to 10,000) compressible regime, for which conventional airfoils are not designed. Here we utilize PyFR to undertake high-order Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) of flow over a triangular airfoil at a Mach number of 0.15 and Reynolds number of 3,000. Initially, span-wise periodic DNS are undertaken. Extending the domain-span-to-chord ratio from 0.3 to 0.6 leads to better agreement with wind tunnel data at higher angles of attack, when the flow is separated. This is because smaller domain spans artificially suppress three-dimensional breakdown of coherent structures above the suction surface of the airfoil. Subsequently, full-span DNS in a virtual wind tunnel are undertaken, including all wind tunnel walls. These capture blockage and wall boundary layer effects, leading to better agreement with wind tunnel data for all angles of attack compared to span-wise periodic DNS. The results are important in terms of understanding discrepancies between previous span-wise periodic DNS and wind tunnel data. They also demonstrate the utility of high-order DNS as a tool for accurately resolving flow over triangular airfoils under Martian conditions.
Date Issued
2022-03-21
Date Acceptance
2022-02-04
Citation
AIAA Journal: devoted to aerospace research and development, 2022, 60 (7), pp.3961-3972
ISSN
0001-1452
Publisher
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Start Page
3961
End Page
3972
Journal / Book Title
AIAA Journal: devoted to aerospace research and development
Volume
60
Issue
7
Copyright Statement
© 2022 by The Authors. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics
and Astronautics, Inc., with permission. All requests for copying and permission to reprint should be submitted to CCC at www.copyright.com; employ
the eISSN 1533-385X to initiate your request. See also AIAA Rights and
Permissions www.aiaa.org/randp.
and Astronautics, Inc., with permission. All requests for copying and permission to reprint should be submitted to CCC at www.copyright.com; employ
the eISSN 1533-385X to initiate your request. See also AIAA Rights and
Permissions www.aiaa.org/randp.
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Identifier
https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/10.2514/1.J061454
Grant Number
EP/R030340/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Technology
Engineering, Aerospace
Engineering
Aerospace & Aeronautics
0901 Aerospace Engineering
0905 Civil Engineering
0913 Mechanical Engineering
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2022-03-21