Key Highlights

  • PowerFLOW’s hybrid solver method combines high-subsonic (HS) and transonic (TS) solvers for efficient and accurate transonic flow simulations.
  • The hybrid method has applications in aerospace, automotive, and wind energy sectors, improving aerodynamic and aero-acoustic simulations.
  • This innovative approach reduces computational costs and accelerates the design process by enabling early, accurate simulations before building physical prototypes.

 

Introduction

Transonic flow, a complex aerodynamic phenomenon encountered at speeds near Mach 1, presents unique simulation challenges due to its blend of subsonic and supersonic characteristics. Addressing these challenges is crucial for industries such as aerospace, automotive, and wind energy, where accurate modeling of aerodynamic and aero-acoustic behaviors is essential.

Enter: SIMULIA PowerFLOW’s innovative hybrid simulation method, which masterfully combines high-subsonic (HS) and transonic (TS) solvers. This cutting-edge approach not only tackles the complexities of transonic flows but also reduces computational costs and enhances result reliability.

 

The Challenges of Transonic Flow

Transonic flow typically occurs between Mach 0.8 and 1.2, regions where both subsonic and supersonic flows coexist, leading to complex flow behaviors like shock waves and high compressibility.

 

Understanding Transonic Flow Dynamics

Traditional simulation methods, either for subsonic or supersonic flows, fall short in capturing these mixed flow behaviors accurately and efficiently. This precision is especially critical for aircrafts, which often cruise within this speed range.

 

Specific Problems in Transonic Simulations

Though transonic simulations are complex by nature, simply put, mixed flow regimes in this transonic region results in higher drag and the formation of shock waves, posing significant challenges for accurate simulation.

Subsonic solvers cannot handle the supersonic regions effectively, while supersonic solvers are computationally expensive and can suffer from numerical dissipation.

 

PowerFLOW’s Innovative Hybrid Solver Method

The hybrid solver method in PowerFLOW uniquely addresses these challenges by combining high-subsonic (HS) and transonic (TS) solvers.

 

How the Hybrid Method Works

This method deploys the TS solver in high-speed regions and the HS solver in low-speed areas, ensuring a seamless transition across flow regimes while maintaining the conservation of mass, momentum, and energy.

This approach not only enhances the accuracy of simulations but also significantly reduces computational costs.

 

Advantages of the Hybrid Solver

The hybrid method offers results in line with full TS solver simulations but at a fraction of the computational cost. Additionally, it often provides more accurate results due to lower numerical dissipation, making it an efficient and reliable solution for complex aerodynamic challenges.

 

Practical Applications in Aerospace and Beyond

PowerFLOW’s hybrid simulation method has broad applications across several industries to address aerodynamic and aero-acoustic challenges.

 

Enhancing Aerodynamic and Aero-acoustic Simulations

This hybrid method has proven essential for accurately simulating complex phenomena such as shock-induced buffeting and noise generation from cavities and turbofan engines. These capabilities enable precise modeling of noise in aircraft cabins and prediction of engine noise, which are crucial for enhancing passenger comfort and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

 

Impact on Automotive and Other Industries

In automotive industries, this method aids in optimizing vehicle aerodynamics and cooling systems, ensuring designs meet performance and safety standards while maintaining efficiency. The ability to simulate real-world conditions early in the design process helps engineers make informed decisions before physical prototypes are built, saving time and resources.

 

Conclusion

By leveraging PowerFLOW’s advanced hybrid simulation capabilities, Mecanica continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in fluid dynamics and aerodynamic engineering. Our expertise in implementing these cutting-edge tools ensures we can meet the most demanding simulation requirements, providing our clients with robust, accurate, and efficient solutions.

For more information on how these innovations can benefit your projects or to dive deeper into the software specifics, visit the Dassault Systèmes blog.

Contact us to learn more about how we can support your simulation needs and help you achieve your engineering goals.