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Computational Studies for Sonic Boom Prediction

AMS Seminar Series

Speaker: Jeff Housman, NAS Applied Modeling and Simulation Branch, NASA Ames Research Center

Presentation

Seminar Slide Deck (PDF-44MB)

Abstract

One of the main barriers to commercially viable civilian supersonic transports is the ground level noise generated due to sonic boom. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) plays a critical role in understanding the mechanisms responsible for sonic boom generation and can be used to assist in the boom minimization process. Validation of CFD prediction capabilities for sonic boom applications is required to provide confidence in the accuracy of the numerical methods. Computational simulations using the Launch Ascent and Vehicle Aerodynamics (LAVA) framework are presented for the First AIAA Sonic Boom Prediction Workshop problems and an oblique shock/plume interaction test case. The framework is utilized with both structured overset and unstructured meshing approaches. The three workshop test cases include an axisymmetric body, a Delta Wing-Body model, and a complete low-boom supersonic transport concept. Solution sensitivity to mesh type and sizing, and several numerical convective flux discretization choices are presented and discussed. Favorable comparison between the computational simulations and experimental data of near- and mid-field pressure signatures were obtained.

Drawing from the knowledge gained through the Sonic Boom Prediction Workshop, computational analysis has been extended to the study of oblique shock/plume interaction effects. In the design stage of a supersonic aircraft, exhaust jet plume effects may be important due to refraction of shocks through the plume. The result of these small angle deviations may lead to large scale coalescence of the pressure waves and a loud sonic boom.

This work is partially funded by the NASA Fundamental Aeronautics Program High-Speed Project

Biography

Jeffrey Housman is a research scientist in the Applied Modeling and Simulation (AMS) Branch at NASA Ames Research Center. Jeff received his M.S. (2003) and Ph.D. (2007) in Applied Mathematics from the University of California Davis. He started his collaboration with NASA in 2001 as a graduate student working on wavelet based data compression algorithms for CFD datasets. In 2003, he began working with Cetin Kiris on multiphase flows for modeling cavitation, which became the basis of his thesis. Then, he continued in the development of the Launch Ascent and Vehicle Aerodynamics (LAVA) Framework along with researchers in the AMS branch. Jeff has worked on many diverse applications while at NASA including the Ares V and Space Launch System (SLS) and the 21st century launch complex at KSC. More recently, Jeff's focus has turned to high speed sonic boom applications as well as low speed acoustic analysis of high-lift systems. Jeff has received a NASA Individual Achievement Award for his work on the Space Launch System in 2012 and the NASA Early Career Achievement Metal in 2013.