Large Eddy Simulation of the Laminar-Turbulent Transition in the Flow Induced by Wall Injection

Abstract

Laminar-turbulent transition of an experimental configuration representative of the flow in Solid Rocket Motors is investigated using Large Eddy Simulation. The specific instability of this flow is reproduced and a turbulent region is recovered, using a spatial perturbation model built upon an analysis of the noise related to injection. The results show the axial natural growth of instabilities until the laminar-turbulent transition occurs near the end of the channel. Comparisons to measurements are made to validate the numerical procedure.