Solution-Adaptive Method for Prediction of Aerodynamic Interaction in Multiple-Body High-Speed Air-Delivered Systems

Harris, R., Liever, P., Thompson, D., Luke, E., & Dudley, J. (2014). Solution-Adaptive Method for Prediction of Aerodynamic Interaction in Multiple-Body High-Speed Air-Delivered Systems. SciTech 2014. National Harbor, MD: AIAA.

An unstructured anisotropic solution-adaptive method for prediction of aerodynamic interaction in multiple-body high-speed air-delivered systems is presented. Development of this capability is motivated by the need to efficiently characterize systems of high-speed unguided projectiles that are subject to a complex flow environment in which inter-body collisions, large interference pressures, and strong moving shock systems are prevalent. These unique physics are primarily encountered in the strong interaction phase early in the projectile deployment, and have a first-order effect on the resulting projectile dispersion pattern. To accurately resolve these highly localized physics, time-accurate 6-DoF/CFD simulations with anisotropic adaptive mesh refinement are performed to efficiently resolve the moving projectiles as well as the flowfield and shock interference between the projectiles. The CFD analyses and adaptive mesh refinement method are described in detail along with validation studies to demonstrate the validity of the developed technologies. The capability is then demonstrated for prediction of shock and aerodynamic interference effects for multiple projectile darts flying in close proximity.