High-Fidelity Loci-CHEM Simulations for Acoustic Wave Propagation and Vibration

The objective of the proposed research is two-folds: (1) establish a multi-institutional aero-acoustics research program in Mississippi by bringing together computational expertise at Mississippi State University (MSU) and experimental expertise at University of Mississippi (UM), which have thus far been developed independently; and (2) develop and validate a high-fidelity fluid-structure acoustic interaction (FSAI) solver capability for the predictions of far-field acoustics and associated structural vibrations, including procurement of state-of-art experimental data for coupled fluid-structure response induced acoustics. The proposed research will build upon existing computational fluid dynamics (CFD)– Loci-CHEM, computational aero-acoustics (CAA) – Loci-THRUST (an extension of CHEM), and computational structural dynamics (CSD) solvers developed at MSU, and the experimental facilities at UM. The CFD and CAA solvers has been developed under NASA funding, and the former is used extensively at NASA Marshall for launch vehicle, propulsion, and missile systems analysis. The CSD solver has been developed under AFRL funding, and has been extensively validated for transonic flutter analysis and used for design of thermally stressed structures. The proposed research will focus on: (a) enhancement of the hybrid Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS)/Large Eddy Simulation (LES) turbulence modeling capability in Loci-CHEM by developing and implementing an adaptive LES turbulence model based on numerical dissipation; (b) enhancements to the capability and performance of the high-order accurate discontinuous Galerkin (DG) scheme to improve the accuracy and efficiency of Loci-THRUST; (c) development of coupling interface for CFD, CAA, and CSD solvers for time-accurate predictions of acoustics generation, propagation, and associated fluid-structure vibration response; (d) measurement of near- and far-field acoustics and surface loading for a novel test case involving jet interaction with flexible surfaces, which will serve as a state-of-art validation dataset for FSAI solvers; and (e) dissemination of the results to the scientific community via peer-reviewed conference and journal papers. The research will contribute to the advancement of computational modeling via development of a new LES model; and advance fluid-structure interaction flow physics knowledge by improving the understanding of interaction between acoustics and structural-vibration. The advancements of Loci-CHEM will directly influence NASA Marshall Aerothermodynamics team research. The FSAI computational tool will likely have broad applicability, but it should be immediately useful to NASA’s launch vehicle development program need of assessment of vehicle vibrations and resonance due to far-field acoustic loads. This computational tool also has the potential to influence the research needs of NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD), who are currently focusing on high-fidelity simulations for the design and analysis of main landing gear noise reduction technologies. In addition, the availability of the new vibro-acoustics experimental data set will impact the broader CFD community by providing additional validation data for emerging FSAI solvers. The proposed research will further strengthen the ties between researchers at MSU and UM as well as their external partners at NASA. Beyond that, the proposed research activities will bring together existing computational and experimental expertise in Mississippi to build the foundations of a strong aero-acoustics research program. These activities will enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of aerospace research in the state, and improve the Mississippi Space Grant portfolio through the publication of peer-reviewed conference and journal papers. In addition, the project will enhance educational infrastructure through funding of four (4) graduate students, and enhance diversity in STEM disciplines.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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