Verification and Validation of High-Fidelity Open-Source Simulation Tools for Supersonic Aircraft Aerodynamic Analysis

Abstract

Small supersonic vehicle concepts used as research platforms to test new aerospace technologies, such as advanced propulsion systems or large sensor payloads, require major modifications to conventional, large-scale, manned, supersonic airframe design. High-fidelity numerical simulation of these concepts in academic settings often requires the use of in-house or available open-source tools instead of expensive commercial software or those with export-control restrictions. A verification and validation analysis of two widely-used open-source compressible-flow solvers, rhoCentralFoam (rCF) and su2, is performed for several flow problems relevant to the supersonic aerodynamics of small-scale, autonomous aircraft concepts. The one-dimensional shock tube problem, two-dimensional supersonic turbulent boundary layer, and three-dimensional delta wing are simulated with both solvers. The effects of flux scheme, flux limiters, and Courant–Friedrichs–Lewy (CFL) number on solution accuracy, stability, and solver speed are assessed. The solvers' limitations and their usefulness as supersonic aircraft design tools in a holistic sense are discussed.