Exploration of wall modeling in large-eddy simulation for aeronautical flows (E-WMLES)

Important results from the project

The main purpose and goals of the project have successfully been reached. Strategies and documentation for development of innovative wall-modeled LES (WMLES), with the aim to meet future challenges in aeronautical CFD, have been established. CFD capabilities have been improved in Saab’s flow solver M-Edge to better support WMLES of low- and high-speed flows. A proposal for a more extensive project on novel WMLES called “LESisMORE” has successfully been submitted within NFFP8 and granted by Vinnova (2024-01295).

Expected long term effects

The project has formulated an initial basis for innovative wall-modeled LES, including machine learning approaches, which will act as a starting point in the follow-up project LESisMORE granted by Vinnova. The project has given the Swedish aeronautical industry and academia valuable insights into WMLES including strategies and a better position for the development of next generation of wall-modeled LES methods aimed to meet the needs in future aircraft design. Moreover, improved capabilities for LES-based CFD simulations have been established in Saab’s flow solver M-Edge.

Approach and implementation

A key for the successful project outcome was the project team of experienced researchers and engineers with long experience from CFD, turbulence-resolving simulations and aeronautical applications. The group has been established since many years and has been working together in many NFFP and international projects. Another key was a well-balanced and limited scope dedicated to formulation of concepts and strategies combined with fundamental tests to further develop these formulations within the relatively short timeframe of the project.