Numerical Simulation of Transient Flows around a 3D Pitching Hydrofoil

The objective of this paper is to investigate the hydrodynamic characteristics of the transient flows around a 3D pitching hydrofoil via numerical studies, where the effects of tunnel wall boundary layer and gap flows are considered. Simulations are performed using an unsteady Reynolds Average Navier-Stokes solver and the k-omega SST turbulence model, coupled with a two-equation gamma-Re-theta transition model. Hydrodynamic forces and flow structures are compared to the results with the equivalent 2D computations. During the upward pitching stage, the transition phenomenon is accurately captured by both the 2D and 3D simulations. The slightly lower lift and suction side loading coefficients predicted by the 3D simulation are due to the pressure effects caused by the tip gap flow. During the dynamic stall stage, the 2D case exhibits a clear overshoot on the hydrodynamic force coefficients and the 3D simulation results better agree with the experimental results. During the downward pitching stage, the flow transitions back to laminar. As for the effect of gap flow and the wall boundary condition, the gap flow causes disturbances to the formation and development of the vortex structures, resulting in the complex distribution of the three-dimensional streamlines and the particle path.