High Fidelity Simulation—Increasing Aircraft Fuel Efficiency with BLI

High-fidelity simulation of a sample flow field within the W8 wind tunnel. Such simulations are needed to quantify effects of tunnel components on the downstream distortion tolerant fan test article, mounted on the dark gray hub. Local Mach number is pictured on the symmetry plane slice of the main image, with the screen backer/guide vanes shown in the magnified image. Adequately capturing the effects on downstream total pressure profiles is necessary to ensure accurate fan performance predictions can be made.

Image Credit: NASA/Ames, Luis Fernandes