Investigation of Ignition Overpressure Over a Launch Pad using Open-Source CFD Solvers

Controlling pressure waves play a vital role for safe lift-off of a launch system that uses Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB). Ignition overpressure (IOP) over a 45-degree wall is investigated using open-source Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solvers in order to understand the behavior of pressure waves and assess a basis for accurately predicting the important aspect of the launch environment. Research on spatial and temporal resolution requirements is carried on unsteady CFD simulations by dual-time stepping methods to obtain accurate results. Different inner iteration numbers in every time-step is investigated for better convergence. Effect of mesh topologies is also investigated for capturing the pressure waves. Inviscid and viscous solvers are compared in terms of both performance and solutions.