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February 1, 2021: “Hypersonic Turbulent Boundary Layer Flows”

  • February 01, 2021
  • 4:00 p.m.
  • For Zoom credentials, please email cloan@vt.edu
  •  Dr. Rodney Bowersox, Texas A&M University
  • Faculty Host:  Eric Paterson
 
Abstract: National interest in hypersonic flight provides motivation for accurate simulation of high-speed viscous flow. The purpose of this presentation is to explain our approach and progress in developing and validating turbulence closure for boundary layer flows with mechanical and/or thermochemical non-equilibrium. First, an overview key research challenges associated with hypersonic viscous flow is provided. Second, mathematical treatments founded in second order transport, and algebraic reductions thereof, are examined with direct comparisons to available LES
and DNS data from the literature. Third, experimental results, acquired at Mach 5, are described that characterize the role of pressure gradient driven mechanical non-equilibrium on the hairpin structure, energy spectra, and Reynolds averaged statistics, with comparison to Reynolds shear stress transport modeling. Fourth, a preview into current studies in modeling and experiments at high enthalpy is given. The presentation is concluded with a brief introduction to the OUSD JHTO University Consortium in Applied Hypersonics.
Bio: Dr. Bowersox, Associate Dean for Research and Ford I Professor of Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M University, received his BS, MS, and PhD in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University in 1988, 1990, and 1992, respectively. He founded and directs the Texas A&M University National Aerothermochemistry and Hypersonics Laboratory. He is the Senior Director for Research for the OUSD Joint Hypersonics Transition Office (JHTO) University Consortium for Applied Hypersonics. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the American Society of Mechanical Engineering. He is a 2017-2022 DoD Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellow. He is a Member of the American Chemical Society, American Physical Society,
and the Optical Society of America. He is also an Associate Editor for the AIAA Journal and the AIAA Journal of Propulsion and Power.