Transition study of 3D aerodynamic configures using improved transport equations modeling

As boundary layer transition plays an important role in aerodynamic drag prediction, the proposal and study of transition prediction methods simulating the complex flow phenomena are prerequisite for aerodynamic design. In this paper, with the application of the linear stability theory based on amplification factor transport transition equations on the two-equation shear stress transport (SST) eddy-viscosity model, a new method, the SST-N_TS-N_CF model, is yielded. The new amplification factor transport equation for the crossflow instability induced transition is proposed to add to the N_TS equation proposed by Coder, which simulates Tollmien–Schlichting wave transition. The turbulent kinetic energy equation is modified by introducing a new source term that simulates the transition process without the intermittency factor equation. Finally, coupled with these two amplification factor transport equations and SST turbulence model, a four-equation transition turbulence model is built. Comparisons between predictions using the new model and wind-tunnel experiments of NACA64(2)A015, NLF(2)-0415 and ONERA-D infinite swept wing and ONERA-M6 swept wing validate the predictive quality of the new SST-N_TS-N_CF model.