Supersonic Flow over SR-71 Blackbird CFD Simulation

This INTERMEDIATE level ANSYS Fluent CFD simulation tutorial explores supersonic flow over the iconic SR-71 Blackbird aircraft. The episode is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of compressible flow dynamics and their application in high-speed aerodynamics, building upon foundational CFD concepts.

Key aspects of this intermediate-level simulation include:

SR-71 Geometry: Analysis of a simplified SR-71 Blackbird model, focusing on its distinctive aerodynamic features designed for supersonic flight.

Compressible Flow Modeling: Implementation of compressible flow equations in ANSYS Fluent, including the use of density-based solvers for high-speed flow simulations.

Supersonic Flow Physics: Examination of key supersonic flow phenomena such as shock waves, expansion fans, and their interactions with the aircraft’s surfaces.

Turbulence Modeling for Compressible Flows: Application of appropriate turbulence models (such as Spalart-Allmaras, k-ω SST) adapted for high-speed, compressible flows.

Boundary Layer Considerations: Analysis of boundary layer behavior in supersonic flow, including the effects of compressibility on skin friction and heat transfer.

Mesh Requirements: Discussion on mesh considerations for capturing shock waves and other high-gradient flow features accurately.

Boundary Conditions: Setting up appropriate far-field and wall boundary conditions for supersonic flow simulations, including the specification of Mach number and flow direction.

Numerical Schemes: Selection and configuration of appropriate numerical schemes for solving compressible flow equations, balancing accuracy and stability.

Performance Metrics: Calculation and interpretation of key aerodynamic parameters such as lift, drag, and moment coefficients in supersonic flow regimes.

Advanced Post-Processing: Utilizing ANSYS post-processing tools to visualize and quantify complex flow structures, including shock waves, Mach number contours, and pressure distributions.

This intermediate-level training aims to enhance participants’ skills in simulating and analyzing compressible flows using ANSYS Fluent. It provides insights into the unique challenges of modeling supersonic aerodynamics, including the treatment of shock waves and other compressibility effects.

The tutorial focuses on the setup, solving, and analysis phases of the CFD simulation, using a pre-defined SR-71 geometry and mesh. This approach allows students to concentrate on understanding the physics of supersonic flows, applying appropriate models and solution techniques, and interpreting results in the context of high-speed aircraft design.

Participants will gain valuable experience in handling more complex CFD simulations involving compressible flows, preparing them for advanced analysis of supersonic and hypersonic vehicles, rocket nozzles, and other high-speed flow applications in real-world engineering scenarios.