3D Transonic Flow Over a Wing

1. Problem Specification
We modeled our simulation after the simulation done by NASA using WIND and we try to
reproduce their results here. It is from there we have obtained the experimental data for comparison
purposes. It is linked here: NASA Onera M6 Validation.
Flow over the Onera M6 wing is transonic and compressible. The wing flow experiences
supersonic conditions, a shock and boundary layer separation. There is no wing twist, with all
chords being in the same plane. Therefore, the angle of attack is simply the angle between the free
stream and the chord line. There is no side-slip in the simulation. The flow conditions are given
below:
Mach Reynolds Number Angle of Attack (degrees) Angle of Side-slip (degrees)
.8395 11.72E6 3.06 0

Our wing geometry will be a scaled down version matching the geometry from NASA rather than
the experiment available on the linked page. The half span dimension is 1 ft and from there we
were able to calculate a scaling factor for the entire wing. More about the geometry creation can
be found on the exercises page.
The table below describes some key geometries, the leading and trailing edge angles are measured
from the vertical.
Span Taper Mean Aerodynamic Leading Edge Angle Trailing Edge Angle
(ft) Ratio Chord (ft) (degrees) (degrees)
1 .562 .5400 30 15.8

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 Tutorial: 3D Transonic Flow Over a Wing

2. Pre-Analysis & Start-Up

2.1 Pre-Analysis
In the Pre-Analysis step, we'll review the following:
 Mathematical model: We'll look at the governing equations + boundary conditions and
the assumptions contained within the mathematical model.
 Numerical solution procedure in ANSYS: We'll briefly overview the solution strategy
used by ANSYS and contrast it to the hand calculation approach.

2.2 Mathematical Model

Our simulation is governed by the continuity, Navier-Stokes (momentum conservation) and
energy equations, but since this is turbulent flow, we will be using the Reynolds Averaged version
of these equations. We will also be using the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model to close the
Reynolds Averaged equation set. The Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model has been developed for
aerospace applications that are wall bounded and subject to adverse pressure gradients. The
Spalart-Allmaras model has only one equation which solves for the kinematic eddy viscosity. We
need to solve for the variables of the problem in all cell centers of our mesh. In total, we have six
variables to solve for: 3 components of velocity, pressure, temperature, and the kinematic eddy
viscosity. The equations are given below.

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 Tutorial: 3D Transonic Flow Over a Wing

The Continuity Equation is given by equation 1

The Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equation is given by equation 2
The conservation of energy equation is given by equation 3
The Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model is given by equation 4

2.3 Numerical Solution Procedure in ANSYS

The equations are converted to algebraic equations. It then solves for our six variables at each of
the cell centers of our mesh. This means that if we have 300,000 cells, FLUENT is going to solve
1.8 million equations to solve the problem.

2.3.1 Hand Calculations

In this simulation, we expect to see many flow features in three dimensions. We will be especially
interested in the suction peak (low pressure zone) that forms on the wing and how the size of the
suction peak changes spanwise. We will also be looking for a shock along the wing surface as this
is transsonic flow. We also expect to see trailing edge vortices forming downstream of the wing,
due to the interaction of the high and low pressure zones since this is a finite length wing.

We will also try to predict the lift coefficient of the wing. This calculation will assume that you
have seen some of the basics of aerodynamics when it comes to finite wings.
We need to get the lift curve slope for our airfoil assuming that there it is part of an infinite
wing. We know that our airfoil is symmetrical, hence at 0 angle of attack, it produces no lift. We

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 Tutorial: 3D Transonic Flow Over a Wing

find our airfoil (or one that can be closely approximated as our airfoil since it exhibits no lift at a
0 angle of attack). The airfoil that we used is detailed here: ONERA OA206 Airfoil
We calculate the slope for an infinte wing using its characteristics and find a0= .0884
Using this, we then can calculate what our lift curve slope for the finite wing will be using the
correction for a swept wing. We need to use this correction for a swept wing since the free stream
Mach Number is not seen by the entire wing and instead the wing sees a lesser Mach Number,
delaying the onset of a shock and increasing the critical Mach Number.

To use this equation, we must first know the aspect ratio of the wing.

where b is the span and S is the planform area of the wing. These two values are either known or
easily calculated. We have an aspect ratio of 3.8 for our model.
After we use all of our values, we get a corrected slope a = .0760. For finite wings, we know that
the lift curve will be lower than for infite wings due to 3D effects and this is reflected our
calculation here. Once we know the slope for our finite wing, we can calculate the lift coefficient
for the wing.

Since the airfoil is symmetric, we will say that αL = 0. Then, we get that our lift coefficient is
.2328. However, this is for the entire wing (remember that we use only half for our simulation)
and the data that we used to calculate this is for low speed incompressible flows. This means that
we need to use a correction for the compressibility at M = .8395.

Using this correction factor, we get that the lift coeffcient for the entire wing will be .4284.
This would be for the entire wing and for our half wing, we simply divide by 2 to predict a lift
coefficient of .2141.

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 Tutorial: 3D Transonic Flow Over a Wing

This is a ballpark estimate of our lift coefficient and we expect that FLUENT will give us
something comparable but less than what we predict with our hand calculations, due to the
presence of the shock on the wing surface.

2.4 Boundary Conditions

2.4.1 wing_surface
We will be setting this to type wall. Basically, a wall boundary condition is setting the velocity
there to be 0.

2.4.2 near_side
We will be setting this to type symmetry. This basically means the solution is symmetrical with
respect to this plane.

2.4.3 inlet, far_side, outlet

We will be setting these to type pressure far-field. At these boundaries, we need to specify the
pressure, Mach number, temperature, and components of the velocity. This allows for the
calculation of the speed of sound, and the velocity direction.

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 Tutorial: 3D Transonic Flow Over a Wing

Boundary Name Boundary Type Condition

near_side symmetry symmetrical w.r.t. boundary

wing_surface wall v=0

inlet, pressure far-field p = 45.8290 psia

far_side, T = 460 R
outlet M = .8395
alpha = 3.06 degrees

3. Geometry
In the first video, we will:
1. Import the external geometry file.

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 Tutorial: 3D Transonic Flow Over a Wing

In the second video we will:

1. Create the fluid flow domain with appropriate dimensions
In the third video we will:
1. Create the geometry for the body of influence
In the fourth video we will:
1. Split the wing face into three parts so we can better refine the mesh around the leading and
trailing edges
2. Set the flow domain body to fluid.

The geometry is given in STEP format: Download Geometry

This geometry is a scaled down version of the experimental Onera M6 geometry to more closely
match with the results from NASA. If you would like to know more about how the geometry was
created you can go to see how here.

Geometry Part 1: Importing the Geometry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzvYmbw4BTA#action=share
Summary of the above video:
1. Create FLUENT Project
2. Open Design Modeler
3. Import external geometry file

Geometry Part 2: Creating the Flow Domain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FCr53D7V4o#action=share
Summary of the above video:
1. On the XY Plane >Create Sketch>Draw>Arc by Center
a. Radius = 10 ft
b. Line Connecting Arc Endpoints
2. Revolve Sketch Around Y Axis
a. Reversed 90 degrees

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 Tutorial: 3D Transonic Flow Over a Wing

3. Extrude face along +X axis

a. 11 ft
4. Create Boolean
a. Target Body = Flow Domain
b. Tool Body = Wing Geometry

Geometry Part 3: Creating Body of Influence Geometry

The body of influence geometry will refine the mesh (in the next step) within the bounds of our
body based on the options we want. Since the most interesting things in the flow are happening
near the wing, we want to refine the mesh in this area and we do not really need to refine the mesh
far from the wing. This is why we are using a body of influence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dizpNTub48#action=share
Summary of the above video:
1. Body of Influence Creation >Polyline
a. Line parallel to x-axis = 1.6 ft
b. Horizontal distance = 1.2 ft
c. distance between z axis and leading line = .3 ft
d. vertical constraint on shortest horizontal line
e. angle between x axis and leading edge line = 60 deg
f. angle between x axis and trailing edge line = 105.8 deg
2. Extrude
a. Symmetric
b. Add Frozen
c. Extrude by .2 ft
We use add frozen here because by default any additional extrusions we create will be
automatically added to the first body. When we select "Add Frozen" this body is ignored and
creates a separate body from our flow domain body.

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 Tutorial: 3D Transonic Flow Over a Wing

Geometry Part 4: Splitting Wing Face

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4DrT5b_Sa4#action=share
Summary of the above video:
1. Projection to split wing face
a. Sketch two lines
b. Parallel constraints with leading and trailing edges
c. Create Lines from Sketches
d. Projection
i. Select both lines
ii. Project in +Y Direction
2. Suppress line bodies
3. Set Flow Domain body to Fluid

4. Mesh
In the first video we will:
1. Add body sizing using a body of influence
2. Add face sizing to the top and bottom faces of the wing, biasing the sizing towards the
leading and trailing edges
3. Add inflation layers
In the second video we will:
1. Check the mesh quality using orthogonal quality
2. Add named selections that will be imported into FLUENT

Mesh Part 1: Sizing the Mesh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9RPWBlEnx8#action=share
Summary of the above video:
1. Change units to US Customary (ft)
2. Add Body Sizing
a. Mesh>Mesh Control>Sizing

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 Tutorial: 3D Transonic Flow Over a Wing

b. Select Body of Influence

c. Sizing>.3 ft
3. Hide Body of Influence Geometry
4. Add Face Sizing at Leading Edge
a. Mesh>Mesh Control>Sizing
b. Select leading edge face
c. Element Size = .01 ft
5. Repeat (3) for Trailing Edge Face
a. Element Size = .01 ft
6. Repeat (3) for Middle Face
a. Element Size = .03 ft
7. Repeat (3) for Bottom Face
a. Element Size = .03 ft
8. Add Inflation Layers
a. Total Thickness = .006 ft
b. Post Inflation Algorithm
We add our body of influence to better refine around the wing, and we can control how large or
how small the refinement is with the size of the body. We can also control the element size in this
body of influence and how quickly the transition is from the body of influence sizing is. For this
coarse mesh we set the behavior to hard when performing the edge sizing, but it is not necessary;
we set it to hard because later when we want to refine the mesh (in the verification and validation
step) we will use element sizes that fall below the default size for our coarse relevance center and
if we were to leave the behavior at soft, the mesher would only reduce the element size to the
default minimum element size.

Mesh Part 2: Mesh Quality and Adding Named Selections

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeSCYwbuchk#action=share
Summary of the above video:
1. Mesh Statistics>Mesh>Statistics>Orthogonal Quality

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 Tutorial: 3D Transonic Flow Over a Wing

2. Add Named Selections

a. far_side
b. near_side
c. outlet
d. inlet
e. wing surface
i. Select one wing face
ii. Extend to limits
f. wing tip

5. Model Setup
In the first video we will:
1. Setup FLUENT
2. Choose the solver
3. Designate the mathematical model for the simulation
4. Modify the materials
In the second video we will:
1. Set our boundary conditions for the problem

Setup Part 1: Choosing the Model

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANVmRVc7zkg#action=share

Summary of the above video:

1. Launch FLUENT
a. Double Precision
b. Parallel Processing
2. Pressure Based Solver
3. Models>Energy
a. Turn the energy equation on

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 Tutorial: 3D Transonic Flow Over a Wing

4. Models>Viscous
a. Select Spalart-Allmaras equation
5. Materials
a. Air
i. Density>Ideal Gas
ii. Viscosity = 1.09329e-5 lbm/ft-s

Setup Part 2: Setting the Boundary Conditions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x970_eQv5U0#action=share
Summary of the above video:
1. Boundary Conditions
a. Far Side>Pressure Far-Field
i. Pressure = 45.829 psia
ii. Mach Number = .8395
iii. Angle of Attack = 3.06 deg
1. x-component: 0.9986
2. y-component: 0.0534
iv. Temperature = 460 R
b. Repeat for Inlet and Outlet
c. Near Side>Symmetry
d. Wing Surface and Wing tip > Wall

6. Numerical Solution
In the video we will:
1. Set our solution method and choose options to assist in convergence
2. Create monitors
3. Initialize the solution
4. Check reference values
5. Choose the quantities we want FLUENT to export to CFD Post and solve

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 Tutorial: 3D Transonic Flow Over a Wing

Numerical Solution Part 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc0aBWLTCfM#action=share
Summary of the above video:
1. Solution Methods>Coupled
a. Pseudo Transient
b. High Order Term Relaxation
2. Monitors>Residuals
a. Absolute Convergence Criteria = 1e-3
3. Monitors>Create>Drag
4. Monitors>Create>Lift
5. Solution Initialization
a. Compute From>Inlet
6. Reference Values
a. Compute From>Inlet
b. Reference Area = 1.076 ft2
c. Reference Length = 1 ft
7. Data File Quantities
a. Pressure Coefficient
b. Mach Number
When selecting your reference values to be computed from a boundary, in this case the inlet, Fluent
does not compute the reference length or the reference area. This means that we need to set them
ourselves for the problem.

You should see the solution converge in about 172 iterations. Below a graph of the residuals is
given.

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 Tutorial: 3D Transonic Flow Over a Wing

Here, the residuals have fallen below 1e-3 for the six variables.

7. Numerical Results
In the first video we will:
1. Look at the lift and drag forces on the wing
2. Look at the lift and drag coefficients on the wing
In the second video we will:
1. Change units
2. Create pressure and Mach contours
3. Compare
In the third video we will:
1. Create contours of Mach number on symmetry plane
2. Look at the Boundary Layer before and after the shock
In the fourth video we will:
1. Create velocity vectors at the trailing edge plane
2. View trailing vortices
In the fifth video we will:
1. Create a chord line at spanwise fraction of .2
2. Plot Pressure Coefficient at spanwise fraction .2
3. Compare FLUENT Pressure Coefficient to experimental data

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 Tutorial: 3D Transonic Flow Over a Wing

Numerical Results Part 1: Examining lift and drag

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omt3e4kGcBg#action=share

Summary of the above video:

1. Reports>Forces
a. Look at drag and lift forces
b. Look at drag and lift coefficients

Numerical Results Part 2: Looking at the Pressure and Mach Number Distribution
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hksj6i1Ag0w#action=share
Summary of the above video:
1. Change Units in CFD Post
a. Edit>Options>Units>English Engineering
2. Create Pressure Coefficient Contours on wing surface
a. Reflect across symmetry plane
3. Create Pressure Coefficient Contours on symmetry plane
a. disable contour bands
4. Create Mach Number Contours on wing surface

Numerical Results Part 3: Investigating the Boundary Layer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phBtyYyomdQ#action=share
Summary of the above video:
1. Create Contours of Mach Number on Symmetry Plane
2. Turn on Pressure Coefficient Contours on Symmetry Plane
3. View Divisions of contours
a. Mach Contours > Render > Constant Coloring

Numerical Results Part 4: Looking at Trailing Edge Vortices

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2qVJ1_OIdk#action=share

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 Tutorial: 3D Transonic Flow Over a Wing

Summary of the above video:

1. Create Plane at Trailing Edge
a. Method > Point and Normal
b. Bounds>Rectangular
c. Plane Type>Sample
2. Create Velocity Vectors on Trailing Edge Plane
a. Sampling>Equally Spaced
b. Symbol>Symbol Size>.5
3. Change Background Color
a. Right Click>Viewer Options>Background>Color Type > Solid White

Trailing edge vortices or lift induced vortices are a really important phenomenon when it comes
to finite wings. If you are interested in a real life visualization, you can see in this video how a
plane flies through smoke and a vortex forms behind it. These vortices are formed because of the
finite length of the wing. The high and low pressure regions interact with one another at the
wingtips and this interaction creates the vortices trailing downstream of the wing.

Numerical Results Part 5: Plotting and Comparing the Pressure Coefficient

Download Comparison Data: Download
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdK-nfiqVR8#action=share
Summary of the above video:
1. Create Line at Z = -.2
a. X1 = .1155, X2 = .73038
2. Create Plane at Z = -.2
3. Create Polyline at Z = -.2
a. Boundary Intersection
i. Wing Surface and Plane at Z = -.2
4. Create Expression for x/L for y/b = .2
a. Right Click>New Expression

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 Tutorial: 3D Transonic Flow Over a Wing

5. Create Variable for x/L

a. Right Click>New Variable
b. From Expression>Select Expression
6. Create Chart
a. Data Series>Source>Polyline 2
b. X axis>Variable>x/L Variable
c. Y axis>Variable>Pressure Coefficient
d. Invert Axis
7. Import Experimental Data
a. New Series>From File
b. Change Line Type to Symbol

7.1 Pressure Contours Animation

Below is a video of the pressure contours on the symmetry plane. We move these pressure contours
along the span of the wing to see how they change. If you would like to learn more about creating
animations similar to this one, click here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynU-2Lf1NwE#action=share

7.2 Visualizing Vorticity

Below are some images of the vorticity that is generated by the wing. The first image shows the
vorticity at the wingtip and the level is made clear in the wake region behind the wing. This image
was generated on a very fine mesh of over one million cells. The second image was generated on
a less fine mesh (clear because of the coarseness seen in the color of the vorticity) but this one also
shows the Q Criterion at a level of .001 so we can see the vorticity present on the wing. You can
compare the large region of vorticity at the wing tip to the relatively small regions on the wing
surface. Again you can also see the vorticity existing in the wake region behind the wing at the
trailing edge near the tip.

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8. Verification & Validation

We verify our results by looking at mass conservation and by comparing our results with the CFD
available from NASA. We then validate our results by comparing our pressure coefficient plots at
different spanwise distances to the experimental data available.

8.1 Verification
8.1.1 Conservation of Mass
We check mass conservation and the boundary conditions. We can check mass conservation by
going into FLUENT under fluxes and selecting mass flow rate.

For mass conservation to be satisfied, we expect the mass flow rate to be 0. The net mass flow rate
here is negligibly small and so mass is conserved.

8.1.2 Mesh Comparison

We now compare the results of the original coarse mesh to a more refined mesh. The refined mesh
has 900901 cells. The sizing near the leading and trailing edges has been decreased to 5e-3 ft and
7.5e-3 ft respectively. The face sizing on the middle top of the wing and the bottom is .01 ft.The
pressure distribution over the wing is shown below.

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8.1.3 Pressure Comparison with NASA

We can qualitatively compare the pressure coefficient contours from FLUENT (right) with those
from NASA. Our mesh is somewhat less refined away from the wing, made clear by the rough
contours of pressure on the symmetry plane.

8.1.4 Comparison with NASA CFD

We compare the drag coefficient and lift coefficient to those from NASA's WIND simulation:

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 Tutorial: 3D Transonic Flow Over a Wing

Cl Cd Percent Percent
Difference Cl Difference Cd
NASA .1410 .0088 --- ---
CFD
Original .1279 .0111 9.67 23.1
Mesh
Refined .1308 .0099 7.43 11.8
Mesh 1
Refined .134 .0096 5.02 8.7
Mesh 2

For refined mesh 2 the grid was changed from coarse relevance center to medium relevance center
with the leading edge face and trailing edge face cell sizes further refined. The middle face on the
top wing surface and the bottom wing surface sizings were also refined. The body of influence's
size was changed to be .0075 ft.

8.2 Validation
We validate our simulation results by comparing FLUENT data with experimental data for the
Onera M6 wing. We plot the pressure coefficient at different spanwise locations of the wing and
compare the results. Here we have plotted the pressure coefficient for the spanwise locations y/b
= .2, .44, and .65. We see that if we continue plotting the pressure coefficient spanwise, the results
become less accurate due to the 3 dimensional effects far from the symmetry plane. In our plots,
we have the first coarse mesh and results from our more refined mesh compared with CFD from
NASA and the experimental results.

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References
Comparison data was obtained from NASA's Glenn Research Center validation archive:
1. Slater, John W. "ONERA M6 Wing Study #1." ONERA M6 Wing. NPARC, n.d. Web.

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