Hypersonic Flows

I conduct numerical studies of very high-speed flow simulations to understand fluid behavior at high Mach numbers. One example of such a flows is the atmospheric re-entry of a space shuttle. The viscous flow simulations have their scale resolutions determined by computational requirements and the level of accuracy desired. Numerical simulations are compared with hypersonic flow experiments for establishing accuracy, reliability and validation.

    Hypersonic Flow over a Double Cone

    This simulation results for the pressure and temperature contours of a Mach 12 flow over a 25-55 degree double-cone are shown below. These simulations were compared with the experimental results from of the CUBRC runs, [1], for validation.

    1. Holden, M. S., “The LENS Facilities and Experimental Studies to Evaluate the Modeling of Boundary Layer Transition, Shock/ Boundary Layer Interaction, Real Gas, Radiation and Plasma Phenomena in Contemporary CFD Codes” Report, CUBRC Inc., Apr 2010. doi: https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA581907.

    Time evolution of pressure and temperature contours over a 25-55 double cone of a Mach 12 flow for 2.5 milliseconds.

    Thin Flexible Panels in Hypersonic Flow

    A numerical simulation showing the structural behavior of a thin aluminum panel in Mach 6 flow for initial transients of pressure and temperature. Flow contours are overlaid with white velocity streamlines.

    Time evolution of pressure and temperature contours over a thin aluminum panel of a Mach 6 flow for 20 milliseconds.

Relevant Publications

  1. H. Ganti, L. Bravo, A. Ghosal, P. Khare, “Fluid-Structure-Interactions of Flexible Panels in Hypersonic Flow”, AIAA SciTech Forum & Exposition, January, 2025. doi: https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2025-0339.

  2. J. Redding, N. Plewacki, H. Ganti, L. Bravo, P. Khare, “Analysis of Thermochemical Non-Equilibrium Hypersonic Flow over a Waverider with Uncertainty Quantification”, JANNAF Conference, May, 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2405.15875.