Transition Prediction and Impact on 3D High-Lift Wing Configuration

The evolution of maximum lift coefficient of a transport aircraft as a function of Reynolds number can be linked to modifications of the laminar-turbulent transition process. In the framework of European project EUROLIFT (I), a task was dedicated to the physical understanding and the numerical modeling of the transition process in high-lift configurations. Then, in the follow-on project EUROLIFT II, a major step is the integration of transition prediction tools within Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) solvers in order to estimate the impact of transition on performance. This paper presents an overview of the different activities dealing with transition in the EUROLIFT II project.