Aerodynamic Analysis

6
The working medium of missiles is air. So it is necessary to study the interaction between air
and the missile structure in flight to estimate possibilities of failure due to its aerodynamic
performance. The techniques, theories and results of conducted aerodynamic analysis is
discussed below.

6.1 Aerodynamic Analysis Methods :

The aerodynamic analysis carries out was basically concerned with forces acting on missile
when in flight are lift, drag, thrust and weight of aircraft. To understand the operation of these
forces is very important for flight dynamic four is very important for flight dynamic four basic
forces are explained as follows

Fig : 6.1 Forces acted on Aircraft

Lift : The forces that, keeps missiles from falling is called lift and is generated by wing
dependency upon airfoil cross-section shape used.

Drag : It is the backward force acting on the vehicle. Drag opposes thrust and acts rearward
parallel to the relative wind. It is caused by the airflow disruption by body fin etc. Depending
upon missile configuration.

Thrust : It is the force which moves the vehicle ahead through air and is produced by its
propulsion system. In order to overcome drag forces acting on the missile, it must generate
thrust.

Weight : It is the vertical downward forces acting on the aircraft due to gravity.
6.2 Numerical Analysis
Numerical analysis was carried out on the Comet model using computational method
(Computational Fluid Dynamics). Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is an essential part in
fluid dynamics which permits the user to solve problems involving fluid flow by simulating
real-life situations or experiments via the use of numerical methods and algorithms incorporated
in computational resources. CFD techniques have emerged as an effective alternative for
aerodynamic analysis in the last 30 to 40 years; the capability of replicating ideal conditions in a
user-specified environment allowing for local analysis of the flow properties in a manner much
more detailed have been advantageous for the aerospace and engineering field as a whole. CFD
has become an established methodology for providing an understanding of the aerodynamic
properties of wide range of structures.

6.2.1 Governing Theories

The motion of fluids can be predicted in the same way as the motion of solids are predicted
using the fundamental laws of physics together with the physical properties of the fluid. The
main difference between solids and fluids being that fluids have no limit to their distortion. In
order to explain the flow around an aircraft or its wing structure, it is requisite to have an
understanding of the underlying governing equations of fluid dynamics which is incorporated
into all commercial CFD packages.

The conservation equations for mass and momentum apply to any flow situation, including
flows of multiple immiscible fluids. The three fundamental equations are the continuity
equation, equation of momentum, and the conversation of energy equation. This set of
equations given in differential form is also known as Naiver-Stokes equations.

The equation assumes that the fluid elements are flowing through a controlled volume fixed in
space and time whilst interacting with the surfaces of the control. Due to the complexity of this
set of equations, there is no general solution. As such, simplifications of these equations are
used to facilitate the resolution of a specific fluid dynamic problem case. In some cases,
analytical solutions can be obtained but the derivation and accuracy of results cannot be
compared to the more opted option of computer-generated numerical solutions

The partial differential equation is given as :

∂ ρ ∂( ρ u) ∂( ρ v) ∂(ρ w)
+ + + =0
∂t ∂x ∂x ∂x
This represents an unsteady form of the equation, only applicable to compressible flow because
change in density is assumed as a function of time. In-compressible flow assumes constant
density as a function of time and is given as;
∂ρ
=0
∂t

∂(ρ u) ∂(ρ v) ∂( ρ w)
+ + =0
∂x ∂x ∂x

Navier-Stokes equations has its origin from Newton’s second law of motion ( ΣF=Σma).
Applying the mass, momentum and energy conservation, we can derive the continuity equation,
momentum equation and energy equation as follows;

A general expression for the surface force per unit volume of a deformable body is expressed in
the figure above. In the same figure, the methodology for discretion of a flow problem into
element-wise Cartesian coordinate form is observed. The dimensions for the control volume is
expressed as δx, δy, and δz. U (m/s) represents initial velocity in the x direction, v (m/s) – y
direction and w (m/s) – z direction. At a point (x,y,z) in space, the velocity v(x,y,z) has three
components (u,v,w), one for each co-ordinate. The pressure of the liquid is P(x,y,z). After
expansion, the resultant Navier-Stokes equations when expanded out gives:

∂u ∂u ∂u ∂ u −∂ p ∂2 u ∂2 u ∂2 u
ρ
∂x(+u
∂x
+v
∂y
+w
∂z
=
∂x )
+µ ( 2 + 2 + 2 )+ p g x
∂x ∂ y ∂ z

∂v ∂v ∂v ∂ v −∂ p ∂2 v ∂2 v ∂2 v
ρ ( ∂x
+u
∂x
+v
∂y
+w
∂z )
=
∂y
+µ ( + +
∂ x2 ∂ y 2 ∂ z 2 )
+ p gx

∂w ∂w ∂w ∂ w −∂ p ∂2 w ∂2 w ∂2 w
ρ ( ∂x
+u
∂x
+v
∂y
+w
∂z
=
∂z) +µ +( +
∂ x2 ∂ y2 ∂ z2
+ p gx)
The numerical method used to simulate and solve flow problems in ANSYS is the Finite
Volume (FV) method in which flow is assumed to be governed by the Reynolds-Average
Naiver-Stokes (RANS) equation. The RANS equations are time-averaged equations of motion
for fluid flow where an instantaneous quantity is decomposed to its time-averaged and
fluctuating variables, first proposed by Osborne Reynolds. The RANS equations are primarily
applied to turbulent flows, same as the simulation which was computed. The RANS equations
reduce to the well know Euler equations for the case of in viscid flow. In CFD applications,
both equations are utilized to simulate aerodynamic performance in a flow field.

CFD Limitations

CFD simulations are strongly dependent on the computational resources available as the solvers
require overwhelming amount of computational power. The validity and precision of the post-
processor results is also dependent on the physical models applied and a comprehensive
understanding of the physical phenomena that are dominant in flow problems which are being
solved.

6.2.2 CFD Parameterization and Setup

Computer Aided Design (CAD) software program CATIA V5 and STAR CCM+® were made
use of in creating virtual models and conditions necessary for carrying out aerodynamic
analysis of the Comet wing structure and full design. There are 3 steps in a typical CFD
software, and 11 steps to be executed in order to perform a successful CFD simulation. These
steps are broken down in Figure and were adopted in carrying out the CFD analysis for this
report.
6.2.3 Geometry Modeling

The 3D design of prithvi missile prepared using Catia and SolidWorks software saved in IGES
format was imported in ansys design modeler. Then to specify enclosure of box shape and all
edges of 4 m size was generated enclosing the missile. Then inlet, outlet and walls were
specified using named selection.

Fig : 6.2 Geometry of Prithvi missile

6.2.4 Initial Boundary Condition

The initial boundary condition and numerical values applied to the flow computational domain
for all cases of CFD simulation are specified in below table :

Inlet Velocity 275 800 2000

( m/s )
Outlet Pressure 5.408 2.65 1.2
( pa )
Material Density (kg/m3) 1.225

Static Temperature 288.16

(Kelvin)
Viscosity (kg/m.s) 1.4

Ratio of Specific heat 1.7894e-05

constant
(cp/cv)
Turbulence Specifications Viscous-standard k-epsilon for no equilibrium wall functions

Time base Steady state

Turbulent Kinetic Energy 15000

(m2/s2)
Turbulent Dissipation Rate 1.38683e11
(m2/s3)
Stop Criteria 200 iteration, so reporting interval

Table : 6.1 Initial Boundary condition applied to flow analysis

6.2.5 Mesh Generation

The mesh density applied to model should be sufficient enough to capture the outpit
requirements and coarse enough to allow a feasible convergence. The mesh parameters used on
missile model are listed below in table :
Physics preference CFD
Solver preference Fluent
Sizing
Curvature 1800
Min. size 7.3397e-002 m
Max. Face size 7.733970 m
Max. size 14.6790 m
Growth rate 1.20
Min. Edge length 6.3504e-002 m
Inflation
Transition ratio 0.272
Max. layer 5
Growth rate 1.2
Pinch tolerance 6.6058e-002 m
Statistics

Nodes 52095
Elements 274165
Table : 6.2 Mesh Parameters applied on CFD simulation
The Missile model featured a bit of complex design curvatures and as such an unstructured
mesh configuration was opted for because of the ability to match the boundary shape of CFD
solution domains of arbitrary complexity.

Fig : 6.3 Mesh Generation of Prithvi missile

6.2.6 Physics Modeling
A turbulent model applied for all cases of the simulation is k-epsilon model for non-equilibrium
wall functions. K-2 turbulence model is the most common model used in CFD to simulate
mean flow characteristics for turbulent flow conditions. It is a two equation model that gives a
general description of turbulence by means of 2 transport equations. It improves mixing length
model and provides alterative to algebraically prescribing turbulent length scales in moderate to
high complexity flows. The 1st transported variable is kinetic energy (k) and 2nd is rate of
dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy. K-2 model focuses on the mechanics that affect the
turbulent kinetic energy. It assumes that the turbulent viscosity is isotropic i.e. the ratio of
Reynolds stress and mean rate of deformations is the same in all directions.

It is used for planer shear layer and recirculating flows. It is the most widely used model for
turbulent flow in industrial and environmental flows. It is also useful for free-shear layers flows
with small pressure gradients and in confined flows where the Reynolds shear stresses are most
important. It is only initial boundary conditions needs to be supplied.

Memory size is larger compared to other models. It is not suited for problems such as inlets and
compressors because its accuracy reduces for flows having large adverse pressure gradients. It
is also inappropriate for unconfined flows , curved boundary layers, rotating flows and flows in
non circular ducts.
6.3 Post-Processor Results
After the pre-processor and solver processor stage of the CFD analysis, the post processor
solution is not calculated all at once, but rather iteratively. Due to the complexity of the
geometry and flow problem to be computed, convergence was achieved at about 5000 iterations
as the capacity of the computers used were put to test. Simulations were left to run for at least a
day due to the computational factors and also to obtain convergence and viable results.
6.3.1 Lift and Drag

The CFD result are obtained in the form of lift and drag versus iteration plots as shown in
figures.
6.3.2 Velocity