Hybrid RANS/LES of a generic high-lift aircraft configuration near maximum lift

Abstract

The paper aims to assess the feasibility of locally turbulence-resolving flow simulations for a high-lift aircraft configuration near maximum lift. It addresses the aspects of proper grid design and explores the ability of the hybrid turbulence model and the numerical scheme to automatically select adequate modes in different flow regions. By comparison with experimental and numerical reference data, the study aims to provide insights into the predictive potential of the method for high-lift flows. Apart from demonstrating the general feasibility of the numerical approach for complex high-lift flows, the results indicate somewhat improved maximum lift predictions compared to the Spalart-Allmaras model, which is consistent with a slightly closer agreement with measured pressure distributions and oil-flow pictures. However, the expected lift breakdown caused by an increasing inboard separation in the experiment is not well captured.