Statistical Analysis of Surface Pressure Measurements vs. Computational Predictions.

Abstract : This report details a statistical approach to the comparison of results from an international study in which Navier-Stokes computational techniques were applied to a complex flow field with highly separated flow about a fixed geometry. The traditional method for evaluating flow-field computations is for the engineer to visually inspect the results, make qualitative comparisons, and draw conclusions--a process that can be effective for a limited number of data sets. In this study, the number of data sets was so large as to make the evaluation and comparison of the results a formidable task. In response, a statistical approach with emphasis on data visualization was developed. The procedure extends directly to higher dimensions, and is of particular value when a large number of data sets are to be compared and an impartial quantitative assessment is sought.