On the Coupling of Boundary-Layer and Euler Equation Solutions

Abstract

Computational methods for inviscid flow have developed to the point where realistic external and internal geometries may be modeled. Improvements are still required to produce accurate, economical results, but progress is being made each year to address this. In many situations, a viscous analysis is required to yield useful numerical simulation. For typical Reynolds numbers for aircraft and engines the viscous regions are thin and a complete solution of the Reynolds averaged Navier—Stokes equations is unnecessary for the entire flow domain. Thin shear layer approximations (including boundary layer equations, parabolized Navier—Stokes equations, and boundary layer equations with normal pressure gradients) are often sufficient. Limited regions of reverse flow may also be modeled by these equations. For a complete prediction, the thin shear layer equations must be interactively coupled to the inviscid equations.