Numerical Modeling of the Turbulent Supersonic Flow over a Backward Facing Step

Authors

Valery Pnoyavin, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Yitung Chen, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Darrell Pepper, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Hsuan-Tsung Hsieh, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

2004

Publication Title

2004 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition

Publisher

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

First page number:

527

Last page number:

534

Abstract

The flow over a backward facing step is a classic problem in applied aerodynamics. Among many other applications, backward facing steps are often used for ignition and stabilization of the flame in a scramjet engine. In this study, the steady two-dimensional viscous supersonic turbulent flow over a backward facing step was calculated using FLUENT. The one-equation Spalart and Allmaras turbulence model was employed for the turbulent flow simulation. The free stream Mach number was 2. The simulated flow field is in good qualitative agreement with flow visualizations, pressure and temperature measurements and theoretical predictions. The boundary layer ahead of the step turns through the right angle over the corner. Then a separation occurs below the corner on the step wall. The numerical results indicate that the separation point is positioned on the step face, below the corner. The overexpansion at the corner is balanced by a lip-shock. This phenomenon was observed in experimental measurements, in flow visualizations and is also obtained in the present numerical calculation.

Keywords

Aerodynamics; Computer simulation; Foundry coatings; Supersonic flow; Turbulence; Viscous flow

Disciplines

Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics | Mechanical Engineering

Language

English

Permissions

Use Find in Your Library, contact the author, or interlibrary loan to garner a copy of the item. Publisher policy does not allow archiving the final published version. If a post-print (author's peer-reviewed manuscript) is allowed and available, or publisher policy changes, the item will be deposited.

Repository Citation

Pnoyavin, V., Chen, Y., Pepper, D., Hsieh, H. (2004). Numerical Modeling of the Turbulent Supersonic Flow over a Backward Facing Step. 2004 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition 527-534. American Society of Mechanical Engineers.