AEROSPACE RESEARCH INTERESTS

Propulsion and Computational Fluid Dynamics

Our focus is on developing advanced engineering fluid dynamic and multi-disciplinary simulation and design tools primarily for propulsion and aerospace systems.  We have developed new solution procedures for the main flow path of aircraft jet engines, innovative gas-turbine cycles, rocket engine feed systems and cooling tubes, propeller design, and centrifugal compressors.  We have also designed new drag reduction devices for transportation systems.  Many of our solution procedures use the latest turbulence modeling strategies such as detached-eddy or hybrid Reynolds-averaged/large-eddy simulation models.

We utilize advanced distributed- and shared-memory parallel computing techniques in our large-scale simulations.  Recent research has also focused on using graphical processing units to reduce simulation times and price/performance ratio by over two orders in magnitude. 

The Wright-Patterson Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, GenCorp Aerojet, and the University of California have funded our research.

WEBSITE: http://mae.ucdavis.edu/davisrl

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Associate Editor, ASME Journal of Turbomachinery
Member, ASME Turbomachinery Technical Committee
Associate Fellow, AIAA     Member, ASME

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

1. DAVIS, R. L. and DANNENHOFFER, J. F., A Detached-Eddy Simulation Procedure Targeted for Design, AIAA Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 24, No. 6, November-December 2008.
  
2. LOGAN, W. V., DAVIS, R. L., SARIGUL-KLIJN, N., AND SARIGUL-KLIJN, M., Engine Thrust Effects on Air-Launched Rocket Aerodynamic Characteristics, AIAA Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 44, No. 2, March-April 2008.

3. DAVIS, R. L. and CAMPBELL, B., Quasi-1D Unsteady Flow Procedure for Real Fluids, AIAA Journal, Vol. 45, No. 10, pp2422-2428, October 2007.

4. DAVIS, R. L. AND YAO, J., Computational Approach for Predicting Stall-Inception in Multi-Stage Axial Compressors, AIAA Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 23, No. 2, March-April 2007.

5. DAVIS, R. L. AND YAO, J., Prediction of Compressor Stage Performance from Choke Through Stall,” AIAA Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 22, No. 3, May-June 2006

Detached-Eddy Simulation Turbine Flow