On modeling of laminar-turbulent transition in supersonic flows with engineering correlations and Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations

Central Research Institute of Machine Building, Russian Space Agency (TsNIIMash) 4 Pionerskaya Str., Korolev, Moscow Region 141070, Russia

Abstract

This paper deals with different engineering correlations for prediction of transitional hypersonic flows both for transition onset prediction and transition zone description. In spite of recent progress in simulation of stability equations and direct methods, these approaches remain main tool in everyday design practice. Very close approach is using correlations incorporated in the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations, e. g., γ-Re_θ transition model. But this model has some limitations when applied to supersonic flows and some approaches for subduing these limitations are considered. Also, the effect of local heating/cooling on laminar-turbulent transition (LTT) on sharp cone is analyzed on the basis of both algebraic correlations and RANS models.