We present an adaptive reduced-order model for the efficient time-resolved simulation of fluid–structure interaction problems with complex and non-linear deformations. The model is based on repeated linearizations of the structural balance equations. Upon each linearization step, the number of unknowns is strongly decreased by using modal reduction, which leads to a substantial gain in computational efficiency. Through adaptive re-calibration and truncation augmentation whenever a non-dimensional deformation threshold is exceeded, we ensure that the reduced modal basis maintains arbitrary accuracy for small and large deformations. Our novel model is embedded into a partitioned, loosely coupled finite volume–finite element framework, in which the structural interface motion within the Eulerian fluid solver is accounted for by a conservative cut-element immersed-boundary method. Applications to the aeroelastic instability of a flat plate at supersonic speeds, to an elastic panel placed within a shock tube, and to the shock induced buckling of an inflated thin semi-sphere demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of the method.

We present well-resolved large-eddy simulations of turbulent flow through a straight, high aspect ratio cooling duct operated with water at a bulk Reynolds number of Re_b = 110 × 10³ and an average Nusselt number of Nuxz = 371. The geometry and boundary conditions follow an experimental reference case and good agreement with the experimental results is achieved. The current investigation focuses on the influence of asymmetric wall heating on the duct flow field, specifically on the interaction of turbulence-induced secondary flow and turbulent heat transfer, and the associated spatial development of the thermal boundary layer and the inferred viscosity variation. The viscosity reduction towards the heated wall causes a decrease in turbulent mixing, turbulent length scales and turbulence anisotropy as well as a weakening of turbulent ejections. Overall, the secondary flow strength becomes increasingly less intense along the length of the spatially resolved heated duct as compared to an adiabatic duct. Furthermore, we show that the assumption of a constant turbulent Prandtl number is invalid for turbulent heat transfer in an asymmetrically heated duct.

We analyse the low-frequency dynamics of a high Reynolds number impinging shock-wave/turbulent boundary-layer interaction (SWBLI) with strong mean-flow separation. The flow configuration for our grid-converged large-eddy simulations (LES) reproduces recent experiments for the interaction of a Mach 3 turbulent boundary layer with an impinging shock that nominally deflects the incoming flow by. The Reynolds number based on the incoming boundary-layer thickness of is considerably higher than in previous LES studies. The very long integration time of allows for an accurate analysis of low-frequency unsteady effects. Experimental wall-pressure measurements are in good agreement with the LES data. Both datasets exhibit the distinct plateau within the separated-flow region of a strong SWBLI. The filtered three-dimensional flow field shows clear evidence of counter-rotating streamwise vortices originating in the proximity of the bubble apex. Contrary to previous numerical results on compression ramp configurations, these Görtler-like vortices are not fixed at a specific spanwise position, but rather undergo a slow motion coupled to the separation-bubble dynamics. Consistent with experimental data, power spectral densities (PSD) of wall-pressure probes exhibit a broadband and very energetic low-frequency component associated with the separation-shock unsteadiness. Sparsity-promoting dynamic mode decompositions (SPDMD) for both spanwise-averaged data and wall-plane snapshots yield a classical and well-known low-frequency breathing mode of the separation bubble, as well as a medium-frequency shedding mode responsible for reflected and reattachment shock corrugation. SPDMD of the two-dimensional skin-friction coefficient further identifies streamwise streaks at low frequencies that cause large-scale flapping of the reattachment line. The PSD and SPDMD results of our impinging SWBLI support the theory that an intrinsic mechanism of the interaction zone is responsible for the low-frequency unsteadiness, in which Görtler-like vortices might be seen as a continuous (coherent) forcing for strong SWBLI.

We present well-resolved large-eddy-simulations (LES) of a straight, high-aspect-ratio cooling duct (HARCD) at a bulk Reynolds number of Re = 110 • 10³ and an average Nusselt number of Nu = 371. The geometry and boundary conditions have been defined together with Rochlitz et al. (2015), who conducted the experimental measurements for this case. Water was chosen as coolant. The current investigation focuses on the influence of asymmetrical wall heating on the flow field and specifically on the influence of the turbulence-induced secondary flow on turbulent heat transfer, the spatial development of the temperature boundary layer and the accompanying viscosity modulation. Due to the viscosity drop in the vicinity of the heated wall we observe a decrease in turbulent length scales and in turbulence anisotropy, resulting in a decrease of turbulent mixing and the secondary flow strength along the duct.

We investigate a passive flow-control technique for the interaction of an oblique shock generated by an 8.8° wedge with a turbulent boundary-layer at a free-stream Mach number of Ma_∞=2.3 and a Reynolds number based on the incoming boundary-layer thickness of Reδ0=60.5×103 by means of large-eddy simulation (LES). The compressible Navier-Stokes equations in conservative form are solved using the adaptive local deconvolution method (ALDM) for physically consistent subgrid scale modeling. Emphasis is placed on the correct description of turbulent inflow boundary conditions, which do not artificially force low-frequency periodic motion of the reflected shock. The control configuration combines suction inside the separation zone and blowing upstream of the interaction region by a pressure feedback through a duct embedded in the wall. We vary the suction location within the recirculation zone while the injection position is kept constant. Suction reduces the size of the separation zone with strongest effect when applied in the rear part of the separation bubble. The analysis of wall-pressure spectra reveals that all control configurations shift the high-energy low-frequency range to higher frequencies, while the energy level is significantly reduced only if suction acts in the rear part of the separated zone. In that case also turbulence production within the interaction region is significantly reduced as a consequence of mitigated reflected shock dynamics and near-wall flow acceleration.

Flows over airfoils and blades in rotating machinery, for unmanned and micro-aerial vehicles, wind turbines, and propellers consist of a laminar boundary layer near the leading edge that is often followed by a laminar separation bubble and transition to turbulence further downstream. Typical RANS turbulence models are inadequate for such flows. Direct numerical simulation (DNS) is the most reliable, but is also the most computationally expensive alternative. This work assesses the capability of Immersed Boundary (IB) methods and Large Eddy Simulations (LES) to reduce the computational requirements for such flows and still provide high quality results. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional simulations of a laminar separation bubble on a NACA-0012 airfoil at Re_c=5×10⁴ at 5° of incidence have been performed with an IB code and a commercial code using body fitted grids. Several Subgrid Scale (SGS) models have been implemented in both codes and their performance evaluated. For the two-dimensional simulations with the IB method the results show good agreement with DNS benchmark data for the pressure coefficient C_p and the friction coefficient C_f but only when using dissipative numerical schemes. There is evidence that this behavior can be attributed to the ability of dissipative schemes to damp numerical noise coming from the IB. For the three-dimensional simulations the results show a good prediction of the separation point, but inaccurate prediction of the reattachment point unless full DNS resolution is used. The commercial code shows good agreement with the DNS benchmark data in both two and three-dimensional simulations, but the presence of significant, unquantified numerical dissipation prevents a conclusive assessment of the actual prediction capabilities of very coarse LES with low order schemes in general case.

We evaluate the suitability of micro vortex generators for the passive flow control of shock-wave/turbulent boundary layer interactions. For this purpose, implicit large eddy simulations using the adaptive local deconvolution method are performed. The flow configuration consists of an oblique shock with deflection angle β = 9.5°, impinging on a turbulent boundary layer at Ma∞ = 2.31 and Re = 67.4·10³. Analysis focuses on the assessment of the relative displacement between the control devices and the shock system, the complex flow structure behind the devices and the low-frequent motions of the separated region.

We investigate a passive flow-control technique for the interaction of an oblique shock generated by an 8.8_∞ wedge with a turbulent boundary layer at a free-stream Mach number of M = 2.3 by means of large-eddy simulation. The control configuration studied combines suction applied inside the separation zone and injection acting upstream of the interaction region through a passive-channel concept. We present results for three configurations, which differ in the suction location within the recirculation zone while the injection position is kept constant. Besides the analysis of mean flow properties, the main focus lies on the turbulence evolution within the interaction region and the effect of the control devices on the low-frequency dynamics of the reflected shock movement.