Multi-field coupling numerical analysis approach for aerothermal environment of hypersonic vehicles

The development of new generation hypersonic vehicles presents a major challenge in the design of thermal protection systems. Sustained hypersonic flight within the atmosphere can result in severe aerodynamic heating phenomena. It is a physical fact that significant interaction occurs between the external aerodynamic heating and the structural heat transfer within the vehicles. Through analyzing the multi-field coupling characteristics of aerothermal environment of hypersonic vehicles, a multi-field coupling numerical analysis approach for predicting aerothermal environment is proposed in this paper. This approach couples the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes based on the Navier-Stokes equations with the general commercial finite element method (FEM) software by the reliable interfacial data exchange method. Considering a cylindrical leading edge as test case, the fluidstructural thermal coupling characteristics along the steady and unsteady flight trajectory is numerically investigated. It is indicated that the proposed approach could accurately predict the fluid structural thermal coupling characteristics, and achieve the analysis of spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of aerothermal environment, thus providing the reliable analysis tool for the material selection and optimization in the design of thermal protection systems.