Numerical study of the transitional flow around du93-w-210 airfoil using large eddy simulation

Accurate simulation of transitional flow on airfoils is a challenging computational fluid dynamics (CFD) problem in aerospace field. In this paper, large eddy simulations (LES) have been carried out to investigate the transitional flow over DU93-W-210 airfoil at a high Reynolds number of 1.0×10⁶. In addition, XFOIL calculations are adopted for a comparison purpose. In terms of lift and drag coefficients at the studied angles of attack, LES results show better predictions than XFOIL calculations. Furthermore, large eddy simulations show a full view of laminar-to-turbulent process with the development of vortical structures. The transition locations have been determined by the distribution of skin friction coefficients and Reynolds shear stress at different angles of attack. It has been found that the transition location moves upstream on suction surface and moves downstream on pressure surface with the increase of AoAs. Through the analysis of the mean velocity profiles along the streamwise direction, the separation induced transition is thought to take the dominate role in the whole laminar-to-turbulent flow over DU93-W-210 airfoil.