Gasdynamic manipulations for design purposes

The basic differential equations for compressible flow to be solved with numerical methods for practically interesting aerodynamic applications are the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equa­tions Neglecting viscous effects reduces this system of equations to the Euler equations. Gasdy – namic phenomena such as shock waves in a flow field arc simulated with sufficient accuracy by numerical algorithms for the latter inviscid model equations. Consequently, an inviscid flow de­sign approach makes use of the Euler equations in suitable ways to help finding flows with re­duced or vanishing shock waves. Techniques developed for shock wave control arc then implemented successfully also in the Navier-Stokes equations. In this paragraph, a special ap­proach to control shock wave strength is outlined: Tlie Fictitious Gas (FG) method. This method was already developed when numerical algorithms to solve the compressible potential flow dif­ferential equations resulted in the first applied aerodynamic analysis computer programs (89). In the meantime, the increased requirements for higher aerodynamic efficiency of an aircraft seems to justify a rev iew of the theoretical ptytential of the FG method. In the following, first the purely "fictitious” part, i. c. the abstract mathematical model for the method is explained with the atm of a practical application. Second, the most recent results of classical shock-free flow construc­tion by the FG method is illustrated and third, practical methods for rapid aerodynamic design derived from these approaches, using both the knowledge base for phenomena modelling and proven CFD axles is outlined.