Prediction of the Supersonic Flow Base Pressure by Axisymmetric Direct Numerical Simulation

Axisymmetric direct numerical simulation (DNS) has been carried out to predict supersonic base flow behavior. Substantially fine grid has been used to perform calculations for the flow with Reynolds number up to 106. Optimal grid resolution was established through test calculations for affordable run time and solution convergence determined by the vorticity value. Numerical scheme provides fourth-order approximation for dissipative, fifth-order for convective and second-order for unsteady terms of conservation equations. Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) approach has been employed to obtain input flow profiles for DNS calculations. Series of calculations have been carried out for Mach number 1.5 with Reynolds numbers 104, 105, 106 and for Mach number 2.46 with Reynolds number 1.65 center dot 106. It has been found that local base pressure coefficient calculated by DNS is a bit overestimated in a zone close to symmetry axis in comparison with experiment while integrated base drag coefficient shows good agreement with experimental data and noticeably better than one obtained by RANS approach.