Experimental and Numerical Study of Leading Edge Separation on Blunt Bodies

To get further insight in the capabilities of modern, commercial, CFD-codes for the prediction of leading edge separation a combined numerical and experimental study was performed on a blunt body of revolution with variable leading edge radius. During this study the Reynolds dependency as well as the influence of the ambient turbulence level of the incoming flow separation process was investigated. The experimental and numerical data were finally compared based on: separation point location, pressure distribution, separation bubble flow characteristics, surface oil flow patterns and the body drag coefficient. As a final result a Reynolds-Radius plot was obtained that summarizes the leading edge flow pattern under various conditions.