A High-Fidelity CFD/BEM Methodology For Launch Pad Acoustic Environment Prediction

摘要

The high-intensity level acoustic load generated by large launch vehicle liftoff propulsion is of major concern for the integrity of the launch complex and the vehicle payloads. This paper presents a practically feasible and effective computational process addressing the physics of both the noise generation mechanism and its footprint in the complex launch pad environment. High-resolution CFD solutions are coupled with a non-dissipative acoustic Boundary Element Method (BEM). The CFD/BEM interfacing approach involves identification of the noise sources and transformation of near-field noise signature to the acoustic solver. This approach is benchmarked against free and impinging jet problems prior to realistic application to the launch vehicle lift-off scenario.