Numerical simulation of splashing landing gear on an amphibious aircraft air cushion

Abstract

The paper presents the basics of the methodology for modeling the spatter formation of landing gear on an amphibious aircraft hovercraft based on the numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations for a two-phase incompressible flow with a free interface (VoF approach) and the disperse medium motion equations (DPM approach). The results of numerical simulation of the water jet collapse in the transverse air flow in comparison with the experimental results are given, as well as recommendations and results of application of numerical simulation in forecasting the air cushion splash formation. The results of the simulation are in good correspondence with the results of the experiments published earlier, which demonstrates the prospects of applying the technique in the development and design of new landing gear layout solutions on an amphibious air cushion aircraft.