The application of CFD to the prediction of body vortices for cone-cylinder configurations in supersonic flow

This study has been carried out to ascertain the CFD, PAK-3D code capabilities to the prediction of body vortices. The flow analysis has been performed on Ogive-Cone Cylinder with and without Controlling Surfaces and on Blunted-Cone Cylinder Configurations. PAK-3D is a 3D Navier-Stokes Solver based on Beam and Warming algorithm. Computational results were obtained using Baldwin-Lomax algebraic turbulence model. Cp distribution was compared at different X/D locations and it was found that up to the separation point, computational results are within 10 % of experimental data but after the separation point which is a highly separated flow region, computational results differ more than 10 % with the experimental data although follow the same qualitative trends. This study has been extended to Ogive-Cone Cylinder Configuration with controlling surfaces. Since controlling surfaces, Fins are on cylinder portion where CFD Cp prediction is not in good match, where choice of turbulence model is vital, therefore quantitatively results differ from the WIND CFD code data. The aberration of data in highly separated flow regions indicates the further development of the predictive technology is required. However, Normal force coefficient has been compared with the experimental data and computational results are within 4 % of the wind tunnel data, which is within acceptable design requirement.