Numerical simulation is one of the key technologies enabling a fully digital description of aircraft. Thus, the provision of multi-disciplinary simulation tools is an important element on the way towards a virtual product, as described in DLR’s guiding concept LK6. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) provides information on the aerodynamic forces acting on an aircraft and thus takes a central role within such a tool. Since a particularly high effort is associated with highly accurate methods within this discipline, the efficient exploitation of current and future high performance computing clusters is essential. In order to achieve a reliable, accurate and efficient overall software system it is not only important to address the hardware and the different levels of parallelism that it provides in a suitable way. It is also necessary to account for the results of current research activities when implementing algorithms. In order to account for different simulation scenarios, a variety of physical models needs to be considered.
DLR’s internal project KonSENS focuses on the extension of a corresponding CFD capability based on a unified consistent implementation. Besides the core CFD method (CODA) this comprises corresponding modifications of the multi-disciplinary process environment (FlowSimulator) into which the CFD code is integrated, as well as the development of a specific library targeting the solution of linear systems of equations (Spliss) arising from the CFD method. A highly modular implementation is targeted for both the individual components as well as the overall system in order to ensure the future applicability, extensibility and maintainability of the software. The Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology coordinates the overall project and takes the lead role for the development of the CFD component CODA. It also provides major contributions to the other software packages. The activities are part of a common development within a European co-operation with the French aerospace research center ONERA and Airbus as a partner from aircraft industry.