Examples of CFD Applications at the French-German Research Institute of SaintLouis by C. Berner, P.

Gnemmi The French-German Research Institute (ISL) is a pioneer in French-German cooperation in the field of armament and defense. The Aerodynamics, Ballistics and Flight Mechanics researchers of the Aeromechanics and Acoustic Division are charged with improving flight characteristics and performances of ammunitions. ANSYS CFX computational fluid dynamics software is used to study both aero-dynamics and/or thermodynamics of projectiles and missiles in order to design and optimize new ammunition systems, to determine their aeroballistic performances, to contribute to the adjustment of theoretical models and also to provide insight into the fluid dynamic phenomena and results for data bases. Recent research using ANSYS CFX at ISL includes simulations of the flow pattern that develops around configurations of projectiles, missiles and also space vehicles.

Study of the aerodynamic characteristics of grid-shaped fins

This work will contribute to improving the flight of the projectile, since the use of grid fins as stabilization and control device offers an interesting alternative to the conventional fin design. Simulations have been performed using various attack angles and have been compared to wind tunnel and free flight experiments.

Close view of the mesh around the projectile

Qualitative comparison of simulation and wind tunnel experiment shadowgraphs

At Mach=2,a=0 A shock is formed in front of the grid fin. The simulation compares well to experiment.

Mach=3, a=0 When the Mach number is increased this shock moves rearward to the grid fin and almost extends inside the grid fin, as shown in both simulation and experiment.

Quantitative comparison of simulation and wind tunnel experiment

Axial force coefficient for a=0 vs. Mach

Derivative of the pitching moment coefficient Cma vs. Mach

For CA0 there is quite good agreement in the subsonic regime but CFD over predicts the wind tunnel data in the supersonic regime The results are similar for the derivative of the pitching moment coefficient

Aerodynamic characteristics of a long range spinning artillery shell

A numerical investigation was carried out on this configuration in order to visualize the flow pattern with and without spin, and to predict the global aerodynamic coefficients to be used afterwards for the determination of the trajectory by mean of 6 degree of freedom code.

a=12, w=0 rad/s

a=12, w=1000 rad/s

Surface streamline pattern for M=0.6 (d=4) The fins are canted in order to induce some rotation on the projectile. The pictures show the flow separation for the rotating projectile at w=1000 rad/s and for the non-rotating projectile. When the projectile rotates, then the separation on the fins becomes smaller and hence the relevant lift/drag coefficient is higher, and as a consequence increases the range of the projectile.

a=12, w=0 rad/s

a=12, w=1000 rad/s

Crossflow streamlines at 50% of fin length (M=0.6, d=4)

Center of pressure location vs. Mach There was good agreement between ANSYS CFX, semi-empirical codes and experimental data

Interaction of a Transverse Jet with a Supersonic Missile Cross-Flow

Experimental and numerical investigations of the interaction between a transverse jet issuing from a generic missile body and the oncoming external flow are underway in order to study steering capabilities. The model fixed in the test chamber of the blowdown wind tunnel is equipped with series of static pressure orifices surrounding the jet exit. The steady-state computations using the SST turbulence model in ANSYS CFX are made for Mach numbers of 2.8 and 3 with and without angle of attack. The computed and measured pressure distributions on the surface model agree very well.

Structure of the flow field visualized by surface and 3D streamlines, M = 2.8, AoA = 10

Measured and computed pressure coefficient on missile-model surface, M = 3, a= 0, ratio of total jet pressure over static freestream pressure = 97