The LAVA computational fluid dynamics solver

Cetin C. Kiris, Michael F. Barad, Jeffrey A. Housman, Emre Sozer, Christoph Brehm, Shayan Moini-Yekta

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

29 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

The Launch Ascent and Vehicle Aerodynamics (LAVA) solver, developed at NASA Ames Research Center, is introduced. The focus of the solver is Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), but it also features auxiliary modules for Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT) and Computational Aero-Acoustics (CAA) capabilities. LAVA is designed to be grid-flexible, i.e., it can handle Cartesian, block-structured curvilinear or unstructured grids either in stand-alone or by coupling different grid types through an overset interface. A description of the spatial discretizations utilized for each grid type, along with the available explicit and implicit time-stepping schemes, is provided. An overset grid coupling procedure of Cartesian and unstructured mesh types, as well as the CHT and CAA capabilities are outlined. Several NASA mission related applications are highlighted: pressure, thermal and acoustic analyses of the geometrically complex launch environment; steady and unsteady ascent aerodynamics; and plume-induced flow separation analyses of heavy lift launch vehicles. Two validation studies from NASA's fundamental aeronautics program are presented: MIT's fixed-wing D8 "double-bubble" aircraft, and the 1st AIAA Sonic Boom Prediction Workshop test cases.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication52nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting - AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition, SciTech 2014
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
Event52nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting - AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition, SciTech 2014 - National Harbor, MD, United States
Duration: Jan 13 2014Jan 17 2014

Publication series

Name52nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting - AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition, SciTech 2014

Conference

Conference52nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting - AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition, SciTech 2014
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNational Harbor, MD
Period1/13/141/17/14

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Space and Planetary Science
  • Aerospace Engineering

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