Finite element formulation of transonic flow problems

Abstract

Reference is made to the study by Akay and Ecer (1982), which treated the solution of full Euler equations for transonic, rotational, inviscid flows. Attention is given here to some of the important features of a general finite element formulation for transonic flows. Both rotational and irrotational cases are treated. Transonic flow through a parallel channel with a 4.2 percent thick circular bump is analyzed for an upstream Mach number of 0.85. A figure is included showing the computational grid of 44 x 8 elements. In this case, the distance between the walls of the channel is 2.073 times the chord length of the bump. The pressure distributions over the bump for rotational assumptions are presented.