AEROSPACE SIMULATIONS LABORATORY

Numerical Modeling and Investigation of Aerodynamic Flow Control Concepts

Under this research topic, we have been numerically simulating and investigating synthetic jet actuators and aerodynamic plasma actuators for flow control at low speeds to increase aerodynamic efficiency. In specific, our research on synthetic jet actuator modeling focused on the integration of efficient uncertainty quantification methods to Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) modeling of the actuator flow fields to assess the accuracy of the physical models used in the simulations and to design robust actuator configurations under inherent and epistemic uncertainties.

Our research on plasma actuator modeling has focused on (1) laminar separation bubble control at low Reynolds number flows and (2) the investigation of the actuator location, unsteady actuation characteristics (duty cycle), the number of actuators, and the power requirements for the control of flows over a range of angles of attack including turbulent stall conditions.

Download the PDF of the poster: Plasma Poster2.pdf

The research activities in flow control area have been funded by a UM Research Board award and a NASA MOSGC award.

Selected publications on the research topic:

1. S. Adya, D. Han, and S. Hosder, "Uncertainty Quantification Integrated to CFD Modeling of Synthetic Jet Actuators," International Journal of Flow Control, Volume 2, Number 3, pages 167-179, 2010.

2. D. Han and S. Hosder," Inherent and Model-Form Uncertainty Analysis for CFD Simulation of Synthetic Jet Actuators," 50th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Paper No. AIAA-2012-0082, Nashville, TN, Jan. 2012.

3. T. West and S. Hosder, "Numerical Investigation of Plasma Actuator Configurations for Flow Separation Control at Multiple Angles of Attack," accepted for presentation in 6th AIAA Flow Control Conference, New Orleans, LA, June 2012.