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NASA Advanced Supercomputing (NAS) Division World-class modeling, simulation, and supercomputing in support of the NASA mission

Computational Framework for Launch, Ascent, and Vehicle Aerodynamics (LAVA)

AMS Seminar Series

Speaker: Cetin C. Kiris, Applied Modeling & Simulation Branch, NASA Ames Research Center

Presentation

Seminar Slide Deck (PDF-71MB)

Abstract

The Launch Ascent and Vehicle Aerodynamics (LAVA) framework, developed at NASA Ames Research Center, will be presented. The focus of the solver is Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), but it also features auxiliary modules for Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT) and Computational Aero-Acoustics (CAA) capabilities. LAVA is designed to be grid-flexible, i.e., it can handle Cartesian, block-structured curvilinear or unstructured grids either in stand-alone or by coupling different grid types through an overset interface. A description of the spatial discretizations utilized for each grid type, along with the available explicit and implicit time-stepping schemes, is provided. An overset grid coupling procedure of Cartesian and unstructured mesh types, as well as the CHT and CAA capabilities are demonstrated. Several NASA mission related applications are highlighted: pressure, thermal and acoustic analyses of the geometrically complex launch environment; steady and unsteady ascent aerodynamics; and plume-induced flow separation analyses of heavy lift launch vehicles. Two validation studies from NASA’s fundamental aeronautics program are presented: MIT’s fixed-wing D8 “double-bubble” aircraft, and the 1st AIAA Sonic Boom Prediction Workshop test cases. High-Resolution CFD Simulations for Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), and selected cases from the 3rd AIAA Workshop on Benchmark Problems for Airframe Noise Computations (BANC-III) are highlighted.

Biography

Photo of Cetin C. Kiris
As Chief of the NAS Applied Modeling & Simulation (AMS) Branch, Cetin Kiris serves as both technical and managerial lead for the AMS Group. He initiated and orchestrated the development of the LAVA framework in the AMS branch. Some of his most notable work has included: aerodynamic database generation for launch vehicle development; analysis of accident scenarios and launch pad ignition conditions for ground operations; turbopump flow simulations; numerical models of human circulatory systems under altered gravity; application of CFD to analysis and design of artificial heart devices; and development of multiphase, compressible/incompressible flow solvers. He has published over 100 technical papers, and co-authored a book on numerical simulation of incompressible flows. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University. Since then he has worked as a research scientist and then joined the NASA Advanced Supercomputing (NAS) Division at NASA Ames Research Center in 2000. He has been recognized by numerous honors and awards, including a NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal; NASA Ames Honor Awards in several categories; NASA Commercial Invention of the Year Award for co-developing the NASA-DeBakey Ventricular Assist Device; NASA Software of the Year Award for co-developing the INS3D code; and several NASA Space Act Awards.