Effect of transition on the aerodynamic characteristics of a spinning cone

Abstract

In order to study the effect of transition on the aerodynamic characteristics of a pointed cone at small angles of attack in supersonic flows, the $\gamma -{\text{Re}}_{\theta \text{t}}$ transition model, γ transition model, and a trip wire applied with $\gamma -{\text{Re}}_{\theta \text{t}}$ transition model coupled with the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations were used to simulate the flow over the spinning cone. The γ transition model, including the effects of crossflow instability, is better than other models in the transition and Magnus force prediction. The numerical calculations are in certain agreement with the experimental data. The results indicate that the positions of the maximum boundary layer thickness remain unchanged using different turbulence models, while the results obtained by the transition model shift towards spin direction, intensifying the difference of the boundary layer thickness between the right and the left side bodies; the contribution of the skin friction on the Magnus force increases due to the shift in the transition position; the contribution of pressure on the Magnus force also changes with the distortion of the boundary layer.