Direct numerical simulations of hypersonic boundary layer transition over a hypersonic transition research vehicle model lifting body at different angles of attack

Abstract

This paper performs direct numerical simulations of hypersonic boundary layer transition over a Hypersonic Transition Research Vehicle (HyTRV) model lifting body designed by the China Aerodynamic Research and Development Center. Transitions are simulated at four angles of attack: 0°, 3°, 5°, and 7°. The free-stream Mach number is 6, and the unit Reynolds number is 107 m−1. Four distinct transitional regions are identified: the shoulder cross-flow and vortex region and the shoulder vortex region on the leeward side, the windward vortex region and the windward cross-flow region on the windward side. As the angle of attack increases, the transition locations on the leeward side generally move forward and the transition ranges expand, while the transition locations generally move backward and the transition ranges decrease on the windward side. Moreover, the shoulder vortex region moves toward the centerline of the leeward side. At large angles of attack (5° and 7°), the streamwise vortex on the shoulder cross-flow and vortex region will enable the transition region to be divided into the cross-flow instability region on both sides and the streamwise vortex instability region in the middle. In addition, the streamwise vortex also leads to a significant increase in cross-flow instability in their upper region, which can generate a new streamwise vortex instability region between the two transition regions on the leeward side. Furthermore, since the decrease in the intensity and the range for the cross-flow on the windward side, the windward cross-flow region tends to become narrow and ultimately disappears.