A three-dimensional field-integral method for the calculation of transonic flow on complex configurations — theory and preliminary results

Abstract

SummaryA three-dimensional integral formulation for the solution of the full potential equation and the associated numerical algorithm, the field-integral method, are presented. The method is a direct extension of a two-dimensional method and in particular retains the simple grid generation requirements noted in that method. Results are presented for the flow over body shapes and a complex winglet configuration, and are compared with existing transonic methods and experiments with good agreement. The further work necessary to provide a fast, robust method for use in design is outlined.