Towards the understanding of vortex breakdown for improved RANS turbulence modeling

Abstract

A triple-delta wing configuration in transonic conditions has been investigated numerically, explicitly focusing on the leading-edge vortices during sideslip flow. Several shock waves manifest over the fuselage, leading to vortex-shock interactions. The primary focus of the analysis centers on the vortex breakdown phenomenon and its underlying causes. The flow field obtained from different turbulence modeling approaches is compared. This study aims to identify the limitations of a standard one-equation model in dealing with such complex applications. It explores physical and modeling reasons leading to the model's inaccuracies. The impact of turbulence treatment on the numerical results is explored, discussing turbulence-related variables. A novel and straightforward modification to the one-equation turbulence model is then introduced and assessed compared to experimental and computational data. The proposed model appears promising for enhancing the accuracy of the one-equation Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes outcomes.