Analysis and robust method for source-term modeling of vortex generator

In this paper, the validity of the thin-airfoil-theory-based source term modeling, Bender–Anderson–Yagle (BAY) model, for predicting the flows induced by a range of different vane-type vortex generators (VGs) is analyzed. By directly comparing the BAY model computations with the body-fitted VG computations using the same grids, the modeling errors involved in the BAY model are elucidated. The results indicate the validity of the thin-airfoil-theory-based modeling employed in the BAY model for predicting the flows induced by typical vane-type VGs. Based on the validity of the modeling, then, the errors introduced by grid-selection methods for the use of the BAY model on non-body-conforming grids are addressed, which leads to a proposed simple grid-selection method for the BAY model on non-body-conforming grids. The proposed grid-selection method improves the robustness and accuracy for predicting the flows induced by various vane-type VG geometries on non-body-conforming grids.