Engineering Papers⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Sinha, N.

Publications and source records attributed to Sinha, N..

At least 19 records

Computational Analysis of Water Film Thickness During Rain Events for Assessing Hydroplaning Risk, Part 1: Nearly Smooth Road Surfaces

In the research work reported here, both two- and three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was used to investigate modern road geometries that were not frequently encountered in the latter half of the 20th century but are much more common today. The relation of newer road geometries to the water film thickness that develops on travel lanes was a major focus of this work.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Three-Dimensional Flow Analysis Methodology for Assessing Stream Stability and Channel Migration

Increases in the frequency and magnitude of weather events that deviate significantly from average are being observed both globally and in the U.S. Adaptation strategies need to account for and mitigate increased risks to transportation infrastructure that result from more extreme weather. The present study is a part of a project that covers a sensitivity study of the potential impacts of increases in stream flows due to rain events and floods on an active section of the Maple River near Iowa Highway 175 and Danbury, Iowa, which is shown. This study focuses on the use of advanced three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques to enhance the assessment of increased risks to stream stability of a section of the Maple River that may erode into Iowa Highway 175. The methodology developed and presented can be applied to a wide variety of streams and rivers that may face increased risk of migration due to changes in weather patterns and severity of weather events. The Maple River is a laterally active channel flowing through agricultural land that has migrated several hundred feet in recent decades and is currently within approximately 100 feet of the Highway 175 Right-of-Way. In addition to the near-term threat to the highway from the closest river meander, there is also a concern that other river meanders could develop into longer-term threats, especially if increasing intensity or frequency of rain events increase the rate of meander development and channel migration by changing the long-term hydrology of the Maple River.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Modeling of Water Film Formation on a Stay-Cable

With the increasing popularity of cable-stayed bridges in the past few decades, longer spans are being constructed using ever-longer stay cables. Under certain conditions, especially during construction, and wind and rain-wind events, the cables of cable-stayed bridges may undergo large amplitude vibrations. This type of vibration has been of concern to researchers and engineers because large amplitude vibration can induce excessive stresses and therefore threaten the safety and integrity of bridge structures. Figure 1-1 presents an example of a stay cable bridge structure, The Cooper River Bridge. Many countermeasures for the wind-rain induced vibrations have been developed to decrease the amplitude of the vibrations and consequently, the fatigue of the cables. One of the methods is to install helical fillets on the cable surface. A sketch of a cable with two fillets wrapped around it is shown in Figure 1-2. The main objective of the present study is to develop and test computational methodologies, with the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), that model the interaction of rain with stay cables including: the formation of water film, development of rainwater rivulets, and rivulet behavior under various conditions with and without wind. Interaction of water with cables with and without fillets is analyzed, and results are presented in this report. This study is divided into two parts. The first part of this study, Section 4, explores methods of modeling water film formation and flow on cables. A series of simulations using the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations turbulence model (RANS) and large eddy simulation (LES) model are performed to analyze water film formation and flow on a cable using the fluid film model in STARCCM+ [(b)1]. Various methods of setting up initial and boundary conditions are tested, especially boundary conditions for introducing rain into the domain. The second part of the study, Section 5, explores upper rivulet formation in the presence of wind, based on the findings from the first part of the study. In that section, LES simulation with the Volume Of Fluid model for the free surface is used. Also, various results for cases with and without water film on the cable are presented and compared.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Hydraulic Study of the South Carolina DOT Catch Basin Type 25

Proper design of surface drainage of both rural and urban highways is essential to minimize flooding and provide traffic safety. Inlets collect the excess storm water from a roadway and discharge it to storm drains. Knowing the performance of inlets (or hydraulic efficiency), defined as the percentage of intercepted flow to the total street flow, is necessary in the design of inlet spacing. The location of inlets can be determined such that the system can transport all or a majority of the road surface flow during rain events. A new type of a catch basin with an inlet grate, Type 25 (CB25), to use as drainage on South Carolina’s freeways was designed by the South Carolina Department of Transportation engineers. Because it is a new design, a study was necessary to establish the hydraulic capacity of the grate. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling was chosen for this purpose, instead of more expensive and time consuming laboratory testing. CFD has been widely used in design of new transportation infrastructure, as well as performance analysis of the existing structures. Three dimensional computational fluid dynamic simulations were developed by scientists at Argonne’s Transportation Research and Analysis Computing Center with the use of high performance cluster computing. The work was performed under an inter-agency agreement between the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S Department of Energy and funded by the South Carolina Department of Transportation.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Exhaust plumes and their interaction with missile airframes - A new viewpoint

The present, novel treatment of missile airframe-exhaust plume interactions emphasizes their simulation via a formal solution of the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RNS) equation and is accordingly able to address the simulation requirements of novel missiles with nonconventional/integrated propulsion systems. The method is made possible by implicit RNS codes with improved artificial dissipation models, generalized geometric capabilities, and improved two-equation turbulence models, as well as by such codes' recent incorporation of plume thermochemistry and multiphase flow effects.

Dash, S. M.↗

Prediction of jet mean flow structure in support of HSCT noise suppression concepts

The paper describes the application of techniques based on computational fluid dynamics to the simulation of jet flowfields. A solution code for the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations is supplemented by conventional two-equation turbulence models based on the Boussinesq approximation. The axisymmetric SCIPVIS code is enhanced with the PARCH and CRAFT codes to examine plug-jet flowfields and imperfectly expanded axisymmetric free round jets. The sensitivity of shock/boundary layer interactions is observed in simulations of the plug case, and the adaptive gridding in the disk region and turbulence levels generated at the triple point are identified as areas in the Mach case that require improvement. Jet-wave structure in the region beyond the first several shock cells can be predicted, and turbulence modeling can be undertaken with respect to improving compressibility, length scale, vorticity, and energy budget. The mean flow structure of imperfectly expanded jets can be studied to develop related noise suppression concepts for the High-Speed Civilian Transport (HSCT).

Sinha, N.↗

Progress in the development of advanced computational models for the analysis of generalized supersonic jet flowfields

This paper describes two three-dimensional computational codes (PARCH and CRAFT) for computing a generalized supersonic jet flowfields with subsonic external streams, which solve the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations in a time asymptotic manner. The application of these codes to an imperfectly expanded jet flowfield is demonstrated. Special attention is given to numerical issues and to turbulence modeling. The application of the PARCH and CRAFT codes to other related flowfield problems, such as gas turbine and nozzle flows, and to generalized missile-plume flowfields is discussed.

Dash, S. M.↗

Fully-coupled analysis of jet mixing problems. Three-dimensional PNS model, SCIP3D

Numerical procedures formulated for the analysis of 3D jet mixing problems, as incorporated in the computer model, SCIP3D, are described. The overall methodology closely parallels that developed in the earlier 2D axisymmetric jet mixing model, SCIPVIS. SCIP3D integrates the 3D parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) jet mixing equations, cast in mapped cartesian or cylindrical coordinates, employing the explicit MacCormack Algorithm. A pressure split variant of this algorithm is employed in subsonic regions with a sublayer approximation utilized for treating the streamwise pressure component. SCIP3D contains both the ks and kW turbulence models, and employs a two component mixture approach to treat jet exhausts of arbitrary composition. Specialized grid procedures are used to adjust the grid growth in accordance with the growth of the jet, including a hybrid cartesian/cylindrical grid procedure for rectangular jets which moves the hybrid coordinate origin towards the flow origin as the jet transitions from a rectangular to circular shape. Numerous calculations are presented for rectangular mixing problems, as well as for a variety of basic unit problems exhibiting overall capabilities of SCIP3D.

Wolf, D. E.↗

Wall jet analysis for circulation control aerodynamics. Part 1: Fundamental CFD and turbulence modeling concepts

An overview of parabolic and PNS (Parabolized Navier-Stokes) methodology developed to treat highly curved sub and supersonic wall jets is presented. The fundamental data base to which these models were applied is discussed in detail. The analysis of strong curvature effects was found to require a semi-elliptic extension of the parabolic modeling to account for turbulent contributions to the normal pressure variations, as well as an extension to the turbulence models utilized, to account for the highly enhanced mixing rates observed in situations with large convex curvature. A noniterative, pressure split procedure is shown to extend parabolic models to account for such normal pressure variations in an efficient manner, requiring minimal additional run time over a standard parabolic approach. A new PNS methodology is presented to solve this problem which extends parabolic methodology via the addition of a characteristic base wave solver. Applications of this approach to analyze the interaction of wave and turbulence processes in wall jets is presented.

Dash, S. M.↗

Computational models for the analysis/design of hypersonic scramjet components. I - Combustor and nozzle models

An overview of computational models developed for the complete, design-oriented analysis of a scramjet propulsion system is provided. The modular approach taken involves the use of different PNS models to analyze the individual propulsion system components. The external compression and internal inlet flowfields are analyzed by the SCRAMP and SCRINT components discussed in Part II of this paper. The combustor is analyzed by the SCORCH code which is based upon SPLITP PNS pressure-split methodology formulated by Dash and Sinha. The nozzle is analyzed by the SCHNOZ code which is based upon SCIPVIS PNS shock-capturing methodology formulated by Dash and Wolf. The current status of these models, previous developments leading to this status, and, progress towards future hybrid and 3D versions are discussed in this paper.

Dash, S. M.↗

Progress in the development of parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) methodology for analyzing propulsive jet mixing problems

A brief review of 2D PNS methodology is first presented which describes the specialized features of supersonic shock-capturing and subsonic pressure-split models required for the analysis of aircraft, rocket and scramjet jet mixing problems. These features include techniques for dealing with various types of embedded and interfacing subsonic regions, the inclusion of finite-rate chemistry and the direct-coupling with potential flow solutions. Preliminary 3D extensions of this PNS methodology geared to supersonic and subsonic rectangular free jet mixing problems are also reviewed. New 3D PNS work will be described which includes the development of a hybrid supersonic/subsonic free jet mixing model, and, a supersonic model geared to the analysis of turbulent mixing and combustion processes occurring in scramjet combustor/nozzle flowfields.

Dash, S. M.↗

Parabolized Navier-Stokes analysis of ducted turbulent mixing problems with finite-rate chemistry

A hybrid implicit/explicit approach for analyzing 2D ducted turbulent mixing problems with finite-rate chemistry is presented. The approach combines a fully-implicit parabolic mixing algorithm, an explicit viscous-characteristic based shock-capturing algorithm, and linearized implicit chemical kinetic algorithm. The resultant model provides spatial marching solutions of the parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) equations for supersonic combustion and viscous nozzle flowfields. Specialized procedures are incorporated to deal with the near wall sublayer and with small central pockets of subsonic flow. A parabolic option is available which can be utilized in the direct or inverse mode for design applications. The ability of the model to treat shock waves and wave/mixing layer interactions is assessed via comparisons of predictions with those of well established explicit shock-capturing Euler (SCIPPY) and PNS (SCIPVIS) models. Applications to a variety of supersonic combustion flowfield problems involving tangential or moderately inclined fuel injection, and, to a viscous nozzle flow problem, are presented. This paper serves to exhibit overall capabilities of the model developed and no comparisons with supersonic combustion data are presented. Such comparisons serve mainly to validate the modeling of the turbulence and turbulence/chemical interactions and will be the subject of a future paper.

Sinha, N.↗

Implicit/explicit analysis of interactive phenomena in: supersonic, chemically-reacting, mixing and boundary layer problems

An efficient implicit/explicit procedure for solving the parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) equations to analyze supersonic, viscous, chemically-reacting flows is presented. The approach combines a fully-implicit algorithm for solving the parabolic mixing/boundary layer equations with an explicit algorithm for determining the hyperbolic pressure field. The unified model, SPLITP, contains provisions for treating bounding/embedded subsonic regions using a pressure-splitting procedure which suppresses elliptic (upstream influence) effects without recourse to sublayer approximations. Several two-equation turbulence models with compressibility and curvature-correction terms are incorporated into SPLITP. Applications to a variety of flow problems are presented which include: ducted supersonic mixing and combustion flowfields, free jets and plumes, and, curved boundary layers and wall jets.

Dash, S. M.↗

Noniterative cross-flow integration for the pressure-split analysis of subsonic mixing-layer problems

In utilizing pressure-split methodology for the two-dimensional analysis of curved wall jets and the subsonic regions of underexpanded free jets, Dash et al (1984) employed the cross flow procedure of Bradshaw et al (1979, 1984). In assessing this procedure, it was noted that the iterative steps required between the continuity and cross flow momentum equation solutions could be eliminated by combining these equations into a unified equation for the cross flow velocity, yielding a significant reduction in computer time and eliminating possible convergence problems which occur in iterative approaches. Attention is presently given to the application of this noniterative procedure to a two-dimensional curved wall jet problem.

Dash, S. M.↗

Two dimensional, transient catalytic combustion of CO-air on platinum

The light off transient of catalytic combustion of lean CO-air mixtures in a platinum coated channel of a honeycomb monolith is studied with a model that resolves transient radial and axial gradients in both the gas and the solid. For the conditions studied it is concluded that: the initial heat release occurs near the entrance at the gas-solid interface and is controlled by heterogeneous reactions; large spatial and temporal temperature gradients occur in the solid near the entrance controlled mostly by the availability of fuel; the temperature of the solid near the entrance achieves almost its steady state value before significant heating of the back; heterogeneous reactions and the gas heated up front and flowing downstream heat the back of the solid; the overall transient time is controlled by the thermal inertia of the solid and by forced convection; radiation significantly influences both transient and steady state particularly near the entrance; the oxidation of CO occurs mostly on the catalyst and becomes diffusion controlled soon into the transient.

Sinha, N.↗

Parabolized Navier-Stokes analysis of three-dimensional supersonic and subsonic jet mixing problems

Three-dimensional jet mixing problems are addressed by means of two parabolized Navier-Stokes models. The first of these analyzes supersonic, overexpanded or underexpanded nonaxisymmetric jets, and yields results that exhibit complex, three-dimensional interactions. The second model uses the same numerical framework as the first, and analyzes rectangular jets by means of a pressure-split formulation. Square and rectangular mixing jet problems that highlight this model's capabilities and exhibit the distortion of the nearfield jet contours associated with the streamwise vortices generated by two corner regions are presented.

Dash, S. M.↗