Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Engineering Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Theses/Dissertations

Air Force Institute of Technology

Aerospace Engineering

Fluid dynamics

Articles 1 - 19 of 19

Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Least-Squares, Continuous Sensitivity Analysis For Nonlinear Fluid-Structure Interaction, Douglas P. Wickert Sep 2009

Least-Squares, Continuous Sensitivity Analysis For Nonlinear Fluid-Structure Interaction, Douglas P. Wickert

Theses and Dissertations

A least-squares, continuous sensitivity analysis method is developed for transient aeroelastic gust response problems to support computationally efficient analysis and optimization of aeroelastic design problems. A key distinction between the local and total derivative forms of the sensitivity system is introduced. The continuous sensitivity equations and sensitivity boundary conditions are derived in local derivative form which is shown to be superior for several applications. The analysis and sensitivity problems are both posed in a first-order form which is amenable to a solution using the least-squares finite element method. Several example and validation problems are presented and solved, including elasticity, fluid, …


An Investigation Of Shock Wave Physics Via Hybrid Cfd-Bgk Solution Methods For Nonequilibrium Flows, Brook I. Bentley Mar 2009

An Investigation Of Shock Wave Physics Via Hybrid Cfd-Bgk Solution Methods For Nonequilibrium Flows, Brook I. Bentley

Theses and Dissertations

The Unified Flow Solver, a hybrid continuum-rarefied code, is used to investigate the internal structure of a normal shock wave for a Mach range of 1.55 to 9.0 for Argon, and 1.53 to 3.8 for diatomic Nitrogen. Reciprocal shock thickness, density, temperature, heat flux, and the velocity distribution function are calculated for a one-dimensional shock wave and compared with experimental data from Alsmeyer and DSMC results from Bird. Using the Euler, Navier-Stokes, BGK model, and Three-Temperature BGK model schemes, results from UFS compare well with experiment and DSMC. The Euler scheme shows atypical results, possibly resulting from modifications made to …


Filtered Rayleigh Scattering Measurements In A Buoyant Flow Field, Steven M. Meents Mar 2008

Filtered Rayleigh Scattering Measurements In A Buoyant Flow Field, Steven M. Meents

Theses and Dissertations

Filtered Rayleigh Scattering (FRS) is a non-intrusive, laser-based flow characterization technique that consists of a narrow linewidth laser, a molecular absorption filter, and a high resolution camera behind the filter to record images. Gases of different species have different molecular scattering cross-sections that become apparent as they pass through the interrogating laser light source, and this difference is used to discriminate between the different gaseous components. This study focuses on the behavior of a buoyant helium jet exiting horizontally into ambient air, and more specifically this jet’s tendency to form side lobes that are discharged from the core fluid under …


Extending Cfd Modeling To Near-Continuum Flows Using Enhanced Thermophysical Modeling, Abram E. Claycomb Mar 2008

Extending Cfd Modeling To Near-Continuum Flows Using Enhanced Thermophysical Modeling, Abram E. Claycomb

Theses and Dissertations

The constitutive relations found in traditional Navier-Stokes-based computational fluid dynamics solvers are known to be limited in altitude. The presence of nonequilibrium phenomena beyond what these methods are able to predict becomes more prevalent at higher altitudes, or increasing Knudsen number. The bulk viscosity, normally assumed to be zero in most computational fluid dynamics applications, is examined as a means of increasing the range of applicability of computational fluid dynamics. The bulk viscosity model used was from recent calculations available in the literature, from a new anisotropic potential energy surface, and is restricted to temperatures below 2000 K. The normal …


Cfd Analysis Of A T-38 Wing Fence, Daniel A. Solfelt Jun 2007

Cfd Analysis Of A T-38 Wing Fence, Daniel A. Solfelt

Theses and Dissertations

A computational study of the effects of a wing fence on the T-38 Talon was performed. RANS simulations were conducted using the CFD solver AVUS to examine the flow around the T-38 and the fence at a Reynolds number of 10 million. The T-38 was modeled as a half aircraft with a symmetry plane down the center line and did not include the empennage. The engine inlet and exhaust were modeled as sink and source boundary conditions using mass flow and pressure specifications. Two fence geometries placed 26" from the wing tip were tested. The first fence, called a simple …


Filtered Rayleigh Scattering Measurements In A Bouyant Flowfield, Christopher C. Mcgaha Mar 2007

Filtered Rayleigh Scattering Measurements In A Bouyant Flowfield, Christopher C. Mcgaha

Theses and Dissertations

Filtered Rayleigh Scattering (FRS) is a non-intrusive technique for studying flowfields. Molecular scattering provides the signal to the camera, and the difference in molecular cross section can be used to discriminate between unmixed gaseous components. The focus of this research is to document the behavior of a horizontal buoyant jet using FRS. A helium jet of precisely controlled mass flow rate is injected into a standard room temperature environment, and FRS provides the means to measure its core trajectory and mixing rate. Trajectory analysis, conducted with consideration of the Reynolds number and Grashof number, can be used to compare these …


Design And Numerical Simulation Of Two Dimensional Ultra Compact Combustor Model Sections For Experimental Observation Of Cavity-Vane Flow Interactions, David S. Moenter Sep 2006

Design And Numerical Simulation Of Two Dimensional Ultra Compact Combustor Model Sections For Experimental Observation Of Cavity-Vane Flow Interactions, David S. Moenter

Theses and Dissertations

An improved computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed for numerical simulation of the Ultra Compact Combustor (UCC) concept to enhance turbulent flow characterization of the circumferentially traveling, centrifugal-force enhanced combustion, cavity flow into the engine main flow passage via a radial cavity in the turbine axial guide vanes. The CFD model uses a dense grid on a 60° periodic, axisymmetric combustor section, with the RNG κ-ε turbulence model to resolve turbulent flow details. An overall analysis and performance evaluation of the experimentally tested UCC configuration and an axially shortened cavity baseline configuration was conducted at various experimentally documented operating …


Particle Image Velocimetry Using A Novel, Non-Intrusive Particle Seeding, Charles J. Delapp Ii Jun 2006

Particle Image Velocimetry Using A Novel, Non-Intrusive Particle Seeding, Charles J. Delapp Ii

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research effort was to study the use of non-intrusive particle seeding for Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). Current seeding material and techniques involve the use of either solid particles or liquid mixtures which can contaminate or damage closed circuit wind tunnels, and in some cases can introduce a potential fire or explosive hazard. The proposed method is based on creating seed particles utilizing Carbon Dioxide (CO2). The CO2 would be dispensed into the flow as a liquid, immediately condensing to solid seed particles as they leave the spray nozzle. The advantage of using these particles is that …


Dynamic Nonlinear Bending And Torsion Of A Cantilever Beam, Michael S. Whiting Jun 2006

Dynamic Nonlinear Bending And Torsion Of A Cantilever Beam, Michael S. Whiting

Theses and Dissertations

This effort sought to measure the dynamic nonlinear bending and torsion response of a cantilever beam. The natural frequencies of a cantilever beam in both chord and flap directions were measured at different static root pitch angles with varying levels of weights attached at the free end. The results were compared with previous experimentation to validate the data and testing procedures while lowering the associated error bands. Additionally, methodology for measuring mode shapes was set forth and mode shapes were measured for a few test cases with zero degrees of root pitch.


Assessing The Potential For Improved Scramjet Performance Through Application Of Electromagnetic Flow Control, Martin F. Lindsey Mar 2006

Assessing The Potential For Improved Scramjet Performance Through Application Of Electromagnetic Flow Control, Martin F. Lindsey

Theses and Dissertations

Hypersonic flight using scramjet propulsion bridges the gap between turbojets and rockets. Recent efforts focus on magnetogasdynamic (MGD) flow control to mitigate the problems of high thermomechanical loads and low efficiencies associated with scramjets. This research is the first flight-scale, three-dimensional computational analysis of a realistic scramjet to assess how MGD flow control improves scramjet performance. Developing a quasi-one dimensional design tool culminated in the first open source scramjet geometry. This geometry was tested with the Air Force Research Laboratory's electromagnetic computational code. To increase fidelity, an algorithm was developed to incorporate thermochemistry, resulting in the only open-source model of …


Store Separations From A Supersonic Cone, Richard J. Simko Mar 2006

Store Separations From A Supersonic Cone, Richard J. Simko

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to analyze the environment a store would travel through if ejected from a supersonic cone. This was done using the Beggar Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code from the Air Force SEEK Eagle Office at Eglin Air Force Base, FL. CFD simulations were compared to experimental results from a previous AFIT thesis and conclusions were drawn based on whether or not the current wind tunnel setup at AFIT is capable of performing analyses of supersonic store separations. Also included in this research is a study of supersonic base pressure profiles, near-wake velocity profiles, wind tunnel …


Study Of Magnetogasdynamic Flow Acceleration In A Scramjet Nozzle, Erik K. Ross Jun 2005

Study Of Magnetogasdynamic Flow Acceleration In A Scramjet Nozzle, Erik K. Ross

Theses and Dissertations

The research project studied the benefits of Magnetogasdynamic (MGD) acceleration on a scramjet nozzle. MGD is a technology that relies on electromagnetic fields to extract and/or add energy to flow fields. The scramjet engine in the "AJAX" concept proposed by D.I. Brichkii et al. (2001) of St. Petersburg, Russia would utilize an MGD power generator in the diffuser user which could potentially provide electrical power for the aircraft support systems and an MGD accelerator in the nozzle of the engine. Using an AFRL/VAAC CFD code that was modified for MGD computations, this project investigated the effect conductivity and load factor …


Numerical Analysis And Optimization Of The Ultra Compact Combustors, Roger T. Greenwood Mar 2005

Numerical Analysis And Optimization Of The Ultra Compact Combustors, Roger T. Greenwood

Theses and Dissertations

In an effort to increase thrust per weight ratio and decrease pollutant emissions of aero-turbine jet engines, a circumferentially burning Ultra Compact Combustor (UCC) with a Cavity-in-a-Cavity design has been developed. A numerical analysis of this design has been conducted and compared with experimental results. The CFD model has been validated through a wide range of conditions and four alternative physical configurations of the UCC have been modeled. Emissions, combustor efficiencies, temperature and velocity profiles, and pressure drop values were used as comparison parameters. Numerical results indicate that increasing the outflow area will increase the pressure drop over the combustor …


Boundary Layer Flow Control Using Plasma Induced Velocity, Brian E. Balcer Mar 2005

Boundary Layer Flow Control Using Plasma Induced Velocity, Brian E. Balcer

Theses and Dissertations

An examination of the effects of plasma induced velocity on boundary layer flow was conducted. A pair of thin copper film electrodes spanned the test section, oriented at thirty degrees from normal to the free stream flow. An adverse pressure gradient was imposed over the electrode configuration using a pressure coefficient profile similar to that associated with suction side of a Pac-B low pressure turbine blade. In addition, suction was applied to keep flow attached on the upper wall, inducing separation over the electrode. The electrode is supplied by an AC source at three different power levels with the free …


Development Of A Higher-Order Upwind Algorithm For Compressible Fluid Flow, Barry A. Croker Mar 2005

Development Of A Higher-Order Upwind Algorithm For Compressible Fluid Flow, Barry A. Croker

Theses and Dissertations

A global fourth-order solution method that incorporates compact differencing with Roe's approximate Riemann solver was investigated. This method was incorporated into a one-dimensional numerical simulation of the compressible Euler equations, and applied to a one-dimensional shock tube problem. The method was also extended to two dimensions, and applied to a two-dimensional shock tube problem and an advecting vortical structure problem on both rectilinear and curvilinear meshes. The results were compared to a third-order Roe scheme and a fourth-order compact difference scheme. An order of accuracy determination showed that it has an order of accuracy somewhere near fourth order, with absolute …


Validation Of Turbulence Models In The Beggar Code For Unsteady Flow, Kevin G. Storm Mar 2005

Validation Of Turbulence Models In The Beggar Code For Unsteady Flow, Kevin G. Storm

Theses and Dissertations

Validation of the turbulence models in the CFD code Beggar for unsteady turbulent flow are discussed. Six validation cases of the code are considered, three cases with the intent of validating the code without the turbulence model and three cases to validate the turbulence model itself. Finally, a more realistic simulation of a simplified store is examined. The turbulence models considered are the Baldwin-Lomax, Spalart-Allmaras, and a DES model. The conclusions made deal with necessary prerequisites to properly simulating unsteady turbulent flow and model selection. The prerequisites necessary in the Beggar code are a second order temporal discretization and the …


Analysis Of The Application Of A Triggered Isomer Heat Exchanger As A Replacement For The Combustion Chamber In An Off-The-Shelf Turbojet, Carl R. Hartsfield Mar 2001

Analysis Of The Application Of A Triggered Isomer Heat Exchanger As A Replacement For The Combustion Chamber In An Off-The-Shelf Turbojet, Carl R. Hartsfield

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research was to evaluate the feasibility of using the triggered decay of a radioactive isomer in a solid-state heat exchanger to power a gas turbine engine. Primary performance measures were stagnation temperature increase and stagnation pressure drop across the heat exchanger. Analysis was performed using commercial software, and explored three types of heat exchanger: concentric tubes, radial fins with constant spacing, and radial fins with constant thickness. All met or exceeded performance of the baseline J-57 turbojet engine at static sea level conditions. A single configuration of heat exchanger, using concentric tubes, was evaluated at typical …


Desktop Computer Programs For Preliminary Design Of Transonic Compressor Rotors, Brian C. Mcdonald Mar 2001

Desktop Computer Programs For Preliminary Design Of Transonic Compressor Rotors, Brian C. Mcdonald

Theses and Dissertations

A need exist for correlation-based desktop computer programs that predict the flow through transonic compressor rotors with nominal computational time and cost. Modified versions of two desktop computer programs, BOWSHOCK and TRANSROTOR, were used to perform a parametric study on a modem compressor rotor. BOWSHOCK calculates the exit flow properties of a supersonic streamtube through a user-defined compressor rotor. TRANSROTOR calculates flow properties at three stations in a user-defined compressor stage. Modifications to TRANSROTOR included the incorporation of a recently published rotor loss model. Baseline and modified TRANSROTOR versions were run with two modern transonic compressor blades. Results were compared …


Simulation And Analysis Of Wing Rock Physics For A Generic Fighter Model With Three Degrees-Of-Freedom, Ahmed Saad Aug 2000

Simulation And Analysis Of Wing Rock Physics For A Generic Fighter Model With Three Degrees-Of-Freedom, Ahmed Saad

Theses and Dissertations

Modern fighter designs have been associated with lateral self-excited oscillations own as "Wing Rock". Simulations of wing rock by flow visualization utilities have been encouraged to develop a complete understanding of the fluid mechanism that drives the motion as well as for prediction purposes. Previous wind/water tunnel simulations have been limited to a single degree-of freedom (DoF) in roll. In this study, for the first time, wing rock is computationally simulated in three DoF: roll, sideslip, and vertical motion to study the effect of adding file sideslip and vertical motion. The results are for a generic fighter model consisting of …