ENGINEERING AND CFD

Computational fluid dynamics simulations executed on GCS system SuperMUC of LRZ Garching are used to investigate the complex vortex system detaching from the aircraft wings in high-lift configuration which rolls up to a counter-rotating vortex pair (see Fig. 1 top left), via the interaction of the formed vortex pair with the ground surface (Fig. 1 bottom), up to the final vortex decay. The simulations indicate that so-called end effects are triggered by the sudden loss of lift during touchdown. Pressure disturbances propagate along the vortex centers leading to rapid vortex decay.

Simultaneously, a vorticity layer is induced at the ground that is wrapped around the wake vortices and also contributes to vortex decay (Fig. 1 bottom). These mechanisms which advance quickly in ground proximity can be complemented at higher flight heights by the installation of plate lines at the runway tails. The plate lines induce smaller vortices that actively approach and propagate along the aircraft trailing vortices.

In Fig. 1 bottom left, the decline of high velocities (indicated by reddish colors) at the plate line and the gap becoming visible at later times in Fig. 1 bottom right indicate the beneficial effects of the small plates erected on the airfield. The simulations and flight experiments conducted on 29 and 30 April 2013 at special airport Oberpfaffenhofen (see Fig. 2) indicate that the patented plate lines appreciably accelerate wake vortex decay and interfere favorably with end effects. This way safety can be further increased during the final approach -- the flight phase with most reported encounters. Future developments shall replace the currently stationary flow field around the aircraft assimilated into the computational domain by a fully unsteady solution for a landing aircraft.

The plate line design needs to be further optimized regarding the application to aircraft of different sizes and the compatibility with airport requirements. Once criteria like obstacle clearance, stability, frangibility, interference with the localizer, requirements of wildlife, and grounds maintenance are resolved and approved by authorities, it is planned to demonstrate the functionality of the plate line concept in an operational environment at Munich airport.