Management and Minimization of Errors and Uncertainties in Numerical Aerodynamics – The MUNA Project.

Abstract

Selected results of the German national joint project MUNA – Management and Minimization of Uncertainties and Errors in Numerical Aerodynamics - are presented. From January 2007 to March 2010 altogether 12 partners from research and industry have been developing and applying methods and tools indicating and reducing inaccuracies in numerical flow simulations associated with the turbulence model, numerical methods, geometry and deformation and the numerical grid. Sensors have been developed, indicating errors and limits of the validity of RANS turbulence models. Numerical methods have been developed, reducing the discretization error and providing stochastic information on the solution, including shape optimization under geometrical uncertainties. Uncertainties associated with the structural model, the interpolation algorithm as well as the required grid deformation within coupled fluid/structure simulations have been investigated, leading to more reliable tools. A dissipation based sensor for insufficiently resolved grid regions, an improved grid adaptation based e. g. on adjoint information and an a posteriori grid manipulation tool have been developed, all reducing the influence of the computational grid on the predictions. Currently the project is extended, focussing on stochastic methods for quantification of stochastic uncertainties associated with the flow conditions and the geometry.