Question

Why is analyzing hypersonic bodies dependent on the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD)?

(a) Lack of experimental facility

(b) Complex to analyse hypersonic body

(c) Time consuming

(d) Hypersonic flight regimes are hypothetical

I got this question in unit test.

The query is from Hypersonics and Computational Fluid Dynamics in division Numerical Techniques for Nonlinear Supersonic Flow, Elements of Hypersonic Flow, Couette and Poiseuille Flow of Aerodynamics

Answer 1

Right choice is (a) Lack of experimental facility

The best I can explain: The hypersonic bodies which fly at very high Mach numbers exist today which are tough to analyse experimentally because it is hard to replicate such high Mach numbers in a wind tunnel. The hyperonic flow has very high Reynolds number and tempertaure which is not easy to replicate. For these reasons, engineers resort to the use of computational fluid dynamics to design vehicle flying in hypersonic regime. The results are accurate enough.