An Analysis of Vortex Breakdown Predicted by the Euler Equations.

Abstract

In the present paper a numerical/experimental investigation is presented to address the ability of the solution of the Euler equations to describe spiral-type vortex breakdown for sharp-edged delta wings. The configuration selected is a 65 degrees swept, cropped delta wing with and without canard. The investigation is carried out at M* &#61 0.2 for two angles of attack, alpha &#61 10 degrees and 20 degrees. The experimental results include water and wind tunnel flow investigations, while the numerical study is carried out with the CEVCATS code using a structured grid with about 1 million points. The influence of artificial viscosity and grid topology on the numerical solution is investigated. Although the implemented numerical scheme is formulated to provide steady-state solutions and hence not time accurate, to results clearly demonstrate the ability of this technique to describe spiral-type vortex breakdown.