High-fidelity numerical simulations applied in unsteady aerodynamics, turbulence and aeroacoustics

Abstract

Unsteady aerodynamics plays a key role in the design of more efficient and quieter aircraft, helicopters, automobiles, wind and gas turbines, industrial fans and drones. In these devices, the unsteady flows are typically turbulent and, hence, improving our understanding of turbulece is of paramount importance. As an example, through a better comprehension of unsteady aerodynamics and turbulence, including attached and massively separated flows, it would be possible for engineers and scientists to design road vehicles and airplanes with reduced drag. This would, in turn, imply on fuel economy and, subsequently, reduction of both transportation costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Flow unsteadiness and turbulence also lead to aerodynamic noise generation, namely aeroacoustic noise, as a byproduct. It is important to mention that aeroacoustic noise has become an inherent part of the design of modern commercial aircraft due to a need to reduce perceived noise levels to meet ever-more-stringent requirements and regulations. Therefore, improving the capability for analysis of unsteady flows involving turbulence and aeroacoustics is a requirement for the energy and transportation industries. In this context, this project will tackle problems involving unsteady aerodynamics, turbulence and aeroacoustic noise generation through high-fidelity numerical simulations. The large databases generated by the simulations will be analyzed employing a suite of techniques such as flow modal decomposition, spectral analysis, linear hydrodynamic stability, machine learning and reduced order modeling. Through the application of these methods, we expect to gain a better understanding of the broad range of spatial and temporal phenomena that are inherent to unsteady aerodynamic flows. Studies will be conducted for three major problems with scientific and technological applications: 1) dynamic stall, 2) supersonic propulsion systems, and 3) noise generation by novel concepts of urban mobility. (AU)