ALBERT

Description: Panel methods are moderate cost tools for solving a wide range of engineering problems. PMARC (Panel Method Ames Research Center) is a potential flow panel code that numerically predicts flow fields around complex three-dimensional geometries. PMARC's predecessor was a panel code named VSAERO which was developed for NASA by Analytical Methods, Inc. PMARC is a new program with many additional subroutines and a well-documented code suitable for powered-lift aerodynamic predictions. The program's open architecture facilitates modifications or additions of new features. Another improvement is the adjustable size code which allows for an optimum match between the computer hardware available to the user and the size of the problem being solved. PMARC can be resized (the maximum number of panels can be changed) in a matter of minutes. Several other state-of-the-art PMARC features include internal flow modeling for ducts and wind tunnel test sections, simple jet plume modeling essential for the analysis and design of powered-lift aircraft, and a time-stepping wake model which allows the study of both steady and unsteady motions. PMARC is a low-order panel method, which means the singularities are distributed with constant strength over each panel. In many cases low-order methods can provide nearly the same accuracy as higher order methods (where the singularities are allowed to vary linearly or quadratically over each panel). Low-order methods have the advantage of a shorter computation time and do not require exact matching between panels. The flow problem is solved by assuming that the body is at rest in a moving flow field. The body is modeled as a closed surface which divides space into two regions -- one region contains the flow field of interest and the other contains a fictitious flow. External flow problems, such as a wing in a uniform stream, have the external region as the flow field of interest and the internal flow as the fictitious flow. This arrangement is reversed for internal flow problems where the internal region contains the flow field of interest and the external flow field is fictitious. In either case it is assumed that the velocity potentials in both regions satisfy Laplace's equation. PMARC has extensive geometry modeling capabilities for handling complex, three-dimensional surfaces. As with all panel methods, the geometry must be modeled by a set of panels. For convenience, the geometry is usually subdivided into several pieces and modeled with sets of panels called patches. A patch may be folded over on itself so that opposing sides of the patch form a common line. For example, wings are normally modeled with a folded patch to form the trailing edge of the wing. PMARC also has the capability to automatically generate a closing tip patch. In the case of a wing, a tip patch could be generated to close off the wing's third side. PMARC has a simple jet model for simulating a jet plume in a crossflow. The jet plume shape, trajectory, and entrainment velocities are computed using the Adler/Baron jet in crossflow code. This information is then passed back to PMARC. The wake model in PMARC is a time-stepping wake model. The wake is convected downstream from the wake separation line by the local velocity flowfield. With each time step, a new row of wake panels is added to the wake at the wake separation line. PMARC also allows an initial wake to be specified if desired, or, as a third option, no wakes need be modeled. The effective presentation of results for aerodynamics problems requires the generation of report-quality graphics. PMAPP (ARC-12751), the Panel Method Aerodynamic Plotting Program, (Sterling Software), was written for scientists at NASA's Ames Research Center to plot the aerodynamic analysis results (flow data) from PMARC. PMAPP is an interactive, color-capable graphics program for the DEC VAX or MicroVAX running VMS. It was designed to work with a variety of terminal types and hardcopy devices. PMAPP is available separately from COSMIC. PMARC was written in standard FORTRAN77 using adjustable size arrays throughout the code. Redimensioning PMARC will change the amount of disk space and memory the code requires to be able to run; however, due to its memory requirements, this program does not readily lend itself to implementation on MS-DOS based machines. The program was implemented on an Apple Macintosh (using 2.5 MB of memory) and tested on a VAX/VMS computer. The program is available on a 3.5 inch Macintosh format diskette (standard media) or in VAX BACKUP format on TK50 tape cartridge or 9-track magnetic tape. PMARC was developed in 1989.