IMPNS Computations of the X-15 Flight Vehicle: A Validation and Verification

Abstract

A verification and validation study of the IMPNS space-marching flow solver has been undertaken for a complete hypersonic air-vehicle configuration. A hierarchical approach was adopted in which the vehicle aerodynamics was decomposed and related flow phenomenon studied. Using this hierarchy benchmark solutions and laboratory experiments were identified that provide the basis of the verification and validation exercises. Detailed comparisons of iterative and grid converged IMPNS computations with benchmark solutions and wind tunnel measurements are presented. Computations of the X-15 wind tunnel and flight experiments are described and comparison is made with measured surface and off-surface pressure measurements and wind tunnel flow visualization observations that demonstrate the reliability and capability of the IMPNS flow solver for complex configurations.