A high-order local correlation based transition model for transonic airfoil flows

Accurate transition modeling is a key ingredient towards the all-time goal of improved aerodynamic performance in the aircraft industry. While several different approaches exist to model transition, local correlation based transition models (LCTM) are one of the most versatile strategies. Many versions of LCTM were proposed in the context of lower order finite volume discretizations, but so far only a few transition models have been brought to higher-order numerical schemes. The present work represents a first attempt of including a one equation LCTM into the high-order discontinuous Galkerin (DG) framework. Several modifications are accessed to improve the model’s robustness and tailor it for transonic airfoil flows. Validation is conducted for a series of test cases, starting with zero pressure gradient flat plates, progressing through high Reynolds number airfoil flows, and concluding with a complex unsteady transonic buffet scenario. All results are compared against experiments and previous numerical references.