Prediction of attachment line transition for a high-lift wing based on two-dimensional flow calculations with RANS-solver

Kurzfassung

This investigation shows that the properties of the two-dimensional flow around a high-lift multi-element airfoil obtained by solving the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations can be used for the prediction of attachment-line transition (ALT) by the criterion of Pfenninger. Flow calculations are performed for three spanwise sections of a three-dimensional swept and tapered high-lift wing for which the occurrence of ALT is assumed at higher Reynolds numbers. It is shown that the onset of ALT is predicted reliably for changes of the angle of attack. The method is also applicable to indicate the spanwise location where ALT occurs first.