At hypersonic speeds, modeling vehicle aerodynamic performance, surface heating, and wake dynamics requires complex multiphysics and multiscale simulations. Aerodynamic drag and heating are strongly affected by the chemical and thermal non-equilibrium environments, surface chemistry, ablation, shock/boundary layer interactions, and boundary layer transition effects.
Nonequilibrium Hypersonic Aerothermodynamics
SwRI can help clients understand high temperature and nonequilibrium hypersonic aerothermodynamics flows. We have a rich history in the development and application of models and simulations to solve highly complex and dynamic problems. SwRI has multiple in-house high-performance computing clusters available for tackling challenging aerothermochemistry problems. In addition, SwRI is uniquely positioned to provide experimental validation for these simulations using the large two-stage light-gas gun facility to perform measurements of test articles in free flight at high enthalpy, hypersonic velocities.
Hypersonic Aerodynamics Analysis
SwRI has expertise in using a variety of aerodynamic, reactive flow and shock/impact physics codes to better understand highly complicated multi-physics applications. SwRI has developed its own reacting flow gas dynamics solver named CULEBRA that can model complex geometries at high enthalpy conditions. In addition to the CULEBRA code, SwRI has a suite of codes that may be applied to solve a variety of aerodynamics and shock physics problems, including FUN3D, OVERFLOW, CTH, and ANSYS FLUENT.
Simulation of hypersonic test article flying at 5.5 km/s (Mach 16). Image on left shows hot gases around test article. Image on right shows local concentration of nitric oxide gas that forms within the shock layer of vehicles at hypersonic speeds.
Related Services
- Hypersonic Research
- Hypersonic Flight Test
- Hypersonic Materials Characterization
- Ultra-High Temperature Materials Characterization
- Blast & Impact
- Measurement of Ballistic & Explosive Events
- High-Speed Data Acquisition
- Dynamic Materials Characterization
- Nondestructive Evaluation
Or call Nicholas Mueschke at +1 210 522 5128.