47th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit AIAA 2011-6055

31 July - 03 August 2011, San Diego, California

Pressure oscillations simulation in P80 SRM first stage

VEGA launcher
V. Ferretti ∗ B. Favini † E. Cavallini ‡
F. Serraglia §

University of Rome “Sapienza”, Italy VEGA IPT ESA/ESRIN, Frascati (Rome), Italy
¶
M. Di Giacinto
University of Rome “Sapienza”, Italy

Large solid rocket motors can exhibit sustained pressure and thrust oscillations during
the quasi-steady operative condition. These fluctuations are characterized by a frequency
close to the first acoustic mode, or one of its multiple, of the combustion chamber. The
origin of this phenomenon is the coupling between shear layer instabilities, and acous-
tic feedback, resulting from the distruction of vorticity by some geometrical features of
combustion chamber, as port area variations or nozzle walls.
In the present work, a quasi-onedimensional model for the analysis of solid propellant
rocket motor aero-acoustic phenomena is described. The proposed model is derived for-
mally from the Euler conservation laws and it is implemented into a code named AGAR
(Aerodynamically Generated Acoustic Resonance).
AGAR model is here applied to the P80 SRM, first stage of the European VEGA
launcher. The demonstration test, P80 DM, exhibits four phases of pressure oscillations.

Nomenclature
a sound velocity
Ap port area
cp specific heat at constant pressure
cv specific heat at constant volume
e total internal energy per unit of mass
E total internal energy
f frequency
h enthalpy per unit of mass
H total enthalpy
k heat conductivity
kR ratio of vortex convection velocity and freestream velocity
L combustion chamber length
L/D length to diameter ratio
li stand-off distance, distance between the shear layer initiating point and the impingement point
M Mach number
m stage number, number of vortices between the stand-off distance li
Minj surface injection Mach number
p pressure
Pb burning perimeter
∗ Ph.D. Student, Dept. di Ingegneria Meccanica e Aerospaziale (DIMA), University of Rome “Sapienza”, Italy.
† AssociateProfessor, Dept. di Ingegneria Meccanica e Aerospaziale (DIMA), University of Rome “Sapienza”, Italy. Senior
AIAA Member
‡ Ph.D., Dept. di Ingegneria Meccanica e Aerospaziale (DIMA), University of Rome “Sapienza”, Italy.
§ Ph.D., Propulsion and system Engineer VEGA-IPT, ESA-ESRIN, Italy
¶ Full Professor, Dept. di Ingegneria Meccanica e Aerospaziale (DIMA), University of Rome “Sapienza”, Italy. Senior AIAA

Member

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Copyright © 2011 by V. Ferretti, B. Favini, E. Cavallini, F. Serraglia and M. Di Giacinto. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., with permission.
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Pc combustion perimeter
q heat flux
rb propellant grain burning rate
S surface
s entropy per unit of mass
t time
T temperature
u velocity vector
V volume
a acoustic
ig igniter gas
α Rossiter’s phase delay factor
ρ density
ω vorticity

I. Introduction
A certain number of large solid rocket motors (SRM) (e.g: US Space Shuttle SRM,1 Ariane 5 P230 SRM,2
Titan SRM, the five-segment test motor ETM-3) exhibits sustained pressure and thrust oscillations during
their whole operative life. These oscillations are characterized by a frequency close to the acoustic modes of
the combustion chamber. If coupled with the launcher structural modes, they can involve structural failures,
interferences and payload damages. They can also affect the motor performance and can result in guidance
complications.
The origin of these oscillations is the complex feedback mechanism fed by vortex shedding and acoustic
waves, and in particular the possible coupling between fluid-dynamics instabilities and acoustic resonant
modes.
The first description of the resonant oscillations as a feedback loop (fig.1) has been proposed, in a
different contest with respect to the internal ballistic, by Rossiter.3 The hydrodynamic instability of the
shear flow generates vortical structures; three kinds of vortex shedding phenomena can be identified in a
SRM: parietal, obstacle and corner vortex shedding. Once detached, these structures are convected by
the flow and interact with each obstacle in the combustion chamber (inhibitor rings, annular restrictors,
nozzle,...). Each interaction determines an acoustic field excitation and a possible acoustic triggering of the
shear flow instability. The stand-off distance (li ) and the frequency fvs characterize the vortex shedding

Figure 1. Aeroacoustic coupling.

process, while the acoustics is related to the combustion chamber length (L) and to the frequency fa . When
the the vortex shedding frequency is synchronised with the chamber acoustic modes (fvs = fa ), the resonant
coupling occurs, leading to self-sustained coupled-mode oscillations.
Among the several models proposed for the aeroacoustic modeling, it is worth to mention the acoustic
balance technique, developed by Culick4 (linear stability analysis of the chamber acoustic modes), and

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Flandro’s method5 (complex linear theory based on the hydrodynamic stability analysis, it represents the
most important method used for the stability analysis).
Because of the typical geometrical configuration of a combustion chamber, the transverse modes can be
neglected and a one-dimensional model can be considered. Matveev derived a one-dimensional model, based
on a system of ordinary differential equation, that describes the acoustic modes excitation accounting for the
acoustic feedback on the vortex shedding process.6, 7 Jou and Menon proposed a one-dimensional model that
describes the interaction between the acoustic waves and the vortical disturbance and provides a method for
the approximative evaluation of the coupled mode frequencies.8, 9
The P80 SRM is the first stage of the European Vega launcher. Part of the new european small launcher
Vega program, the first solid stage (P80 SRM) development is managed by ESA and involves staff from
ESA, ASI (Italian Space Agency) and CNES (French space agency). The French-Italian joint venture Euro-
propulsion (Avio S.p.a. and Snecma Propulsion Solide) is responsible for the motor development program,
delegated by Avio S.p.a. that formally represents the P80 SRM prime contractor.
Originally created both as Vega’s first stage and as a technology demonstrator or a new generation of
Ariane-5 solid boosters,the propellant casting is realized at the Guyana Propellant Plant in Kourou, the same
used for Ariane 5 solid boosters. During the motor advancement process, two static firing tests have been
performed. The first test P80 DM, a demonstration test, was realized by employing helium as pressurizing
gas to reduce and to control the pressure oscillations characterising the transient phase while the second
P80 QM, a qualification test, was realized by using nitrogen as pressurizing gas. Except for the pressurising
gas, the P80 DM and P80 QM present the same configuration. Although similar, the two firing tests do no
present the same experimental results. While the P80 QM exhibits three pressure oscillation blows in the
first 50 s of the burn time, for the P80 DM such number increases to four. Moreover, some differences are
related to the blows timing.
In the present work, a quasi-onedimensional model for the simulation of the flow time evolution in SRMs
is presented. The analysis of the obtained pressure oscillations allows the characterization of these oscillations
as far as it concerns both amplitude and frequency.
The simulation of the aeroacoustic coupling of the P80 solid rocket motor is provided. In particular, the
demonstration static firing test P80 DM is analysed; this choice is related to the experimental data quality.

II. Vortex-sound quasi-one dimensional model

A quasi-one dimensional model for the simulation of the flow time evolution in solid rocket motors is here
presented. A complete description of the model can be found in.10–13
An unsteady Eulerian model with mass, momentum, energy addition and a geometrical evolution, both
in space and time, is considered. Two phase flow effects are neglected and a mixture of non reacting perfect
gases is considered. The thermophysical properties of the mixture of ideal gases are variable in space and
time; they are evaluated using a thermodynamic standard model for mixtures. Further, the grain combustion
reactions are supposed to occur in an ideal thin layer on the grain propellant surface; the mass produced by
the propellant combustion is supposed to be added without axial momentum. Combustion unsteady models
are not taken into account.
The governing equation to be considered are the mass, momentum, energy conservation equation and
the vorticity equation.
The three-dimensional equations, expressed in cylindrical coordinates for an axysimmetric flow and av-
eraged on the normal sections, can be expressed in a quasi-one-dimensional form. The standard process has
been followed for the mass, momentum and energy equation. The derivation of the only vorticity equation
is here analysed in details.
The vorticity equation for a newtonian fluid without viscous terms is expressed as:
∂(ρω)
+ ∇ · (ρωu) = ρω · ∇u − ρω∇ · u (1)
∂t
where (ω · ∇u) represents the stretching or tilting term and (ω∇ · u) describes the compressibility effect.
The first step to obtain the vorticity equation in a quasi-one-dimensional form, is the expression of eq. 1
in cylindrical coordinates. For each term in eq. 1, the following expressions are obtained:
 
∂(ρux ωx ) ∂(ρur ωx ) 1 ∂(ρuθ ωx ) ρur ωx
∇ · (ρωu) = + + + ex +
∂x ∂r r ∂θ r

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∂(ρux ωr ) ∂(ρur ωr ) 1 ∂(ρuθ ωr ) ρur ωr ρuθ ωθ
+ + + −+ er +
∂x ∂r r ∂θ r r
 
∂(ρux ωθ ) ∂(ρur ωθ ) 1 ∂(ρuθ ωθ ) ρur ωθ ρuθ ωr
+ + + −+ eθ
∂x ∂r r ∂θ r r

 
∂ux ∂ux ρωθ ∂ux
ρω · ∇u = ρωx + ρωr + ex +
∂x ∂r r ∂θ
 
∂ur ∂ur ρωθ ∂ur ρuθ ωθ
ρωx + ρωr + − er +
∂x ∂r r ∂θ r
 
∂uθ ∂uθ ρωθ ∂uθ ρur ωθ
ρωx + ρωr + − eθ +
∂x ∂r r ∂θ r

 
∂ux ∂ur ρωx ∂uθ ρur ωx
ρω∇ · u = ρωx + ρωx + + ex +
∂x ∂r r ∂θ r
 
∂ux ∂ur ρωr ∂uθ ρur ωr
ρωr + ρωr + − er +
∂x ∂r r ∂θ r
 
∂ux ∂ur ρωθ ∂uθ ρur ωθ
ρωθ + ρωθ + − eθ +
∂x ∂r r ∂θ r

∂
For an axisymmetric flow (uθ = 0, ∂θ = 0), a scalar equation in conservative form can be obtained:

∂(ρωθ ) ∂(ρωθ ux ) ∂(ρωθ ur ) ur ∂ur ∂ux

+ =− − ρωθ − ρωθ − ρωθ (2)
∂t ∂x ∂r r ∂r ∂x
The right side terms of eq. 2 depend on ur , r and on the radial derivative.
 ur 
The (ρωθ ur )r term represents a radial addition while ρωθ is the deformation contribution. The
r
term (ρωθ ux,x − ρωθ ur,r ) is related to the compressibility effect.
Each variable can be considered uniform on the cell of thickness ∆x. With an integration on the port
area, with a mean value Ap , the following expression is obtained from eq. 2:
Z Z
∂(ρωθ ) ∂(ρωθ ux )
dAp + dAp = (3)
Ap ∂t Ap ∂x
Z Z Z Z
∂(ρωθ ur ) ur ∂ur ∂ux
− dAp − ρωθ dAp − ρωθ dAp − ρωθ dAp
Ap ∂r Ap r Ap ∂r Ap ∂x

For the terms on the left side, the following expressions are considered:
Z
∂(ρωθ ) ∂(ρωθ Ap )
dAp = (4)
Ap ∂t ∂t
Z
∂(ρωθ ux ) ∂(ρωθ ux Ap )
dAp = (5)
Ap ∂x ∂x
From eq. 2, the quasi-onedimensional vorticity equation can be written as:
Z Z
∂(ρωθ Ap ) ∂(ρωθ ux Ap ) ∂(ρωθ ur ) ur
+ = − dAp − ρωθ dAp (6)
∂t ∂x Ap ∂r Ap r
Z Z
∂ur ∂ux
− ρωθ dAp − ρωθ dAp =
Ap ∂r Ap ∂x
Sω1 + Sω2 + Sω3 + Sω4

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where it is possible to indicate ux as u and ωθ as ω. The Sω source terms remain to be properly modeled
(the integral terms that exhibit ur , r and radial derivatives have to be modeled). The source terms represent
the radial addition, Sω1 , the deformation contribution, Sω2 and the compressibility effect, Sω3 and Sω4 .
The terms related to the deformation and to the compressibility are not considered in this model, the
source terms Sω2 , Sω3 and Sω4 are then neglected. The only source term that remains to be modeled is the
radial addition term Sω1 . Its effect is here related to the radial contribution due to the presence of a corner.
With this assumption, obstacle and parietal vortex shedding phenomena are not taken into account.
Sω1 , that exists only at the corner where the vortex generation occurs, is then expressed as:
dΓ
Sω1 = ρ (7)
dt
and the vorticity equation becomes:
∂(ρωAp ) ∂(ρωuAp ) dΓ
+ =ρ (8)
∂t ∂x dt
The eq. 8 represents a quasi-onedimensional expression for the vorticity equation. The complete set of
quasi-onedimensional governing equations (mass, momentum, energy and vorticity equation) can be written
as:
∂ (ρi Ap ) ∂ (ρi uAp ) ṁs Ap ṁig Ap


 + = rb Pb ρp + + + ṁvs for i = 1, . . . , 6
∂t ∂x V V






 

∂ ρu2 + p Ap

 ∂ (ρuA p ) ∂Ap ṁig Ap v̄inj 1
+ ρu2 cf + q̇vs


 + −p =
∂t ∂x ∂x V 2


(9)
∂ (ρeA ) ∂ [(ρe + p) uA ] ṁ A H ṁ A H


 p p ig p ig s p s

 + = rb Pb ρp Hf + + + ėvs



 ∂t ∂x V V



 ∂(ρωAp ) + ∂(ρωuAp ) = ρ dΓ



∂t ∂x dt
where Ap represents the combustion chamber port area, rb the propellant burning rate, Pb the combustion
perimeter, ρp the propellant density, ṁs the cavity mass flow rate addition, m˙ig is the igniter mass flow
rate addition, vinj the igniter jet velocity, cf the friction coefficienta , Hf is the grain combustion products
enthalpy per unit mass, Hig is the igniter product enthalpy per unit mass and Hs is the cavity gase enthalpy
per unit mass.
The m˙vs , qvs
˙ and evs ˙ are the source terms that describe the excitation of the acoustic field by vortex
shedding phenomenon.
With the introduction of the Ω variable, that describes the vortex intensity:

Ω = ρωAp (10)

the eq. 8 can be rewritten as:

∂ Ω ∂ (Ω u)
+ = ρ Γ̇ (11)
∂t ∂x
The vortex shedding excitement by acoustic field is described by defining the vortex properties as a
function of time varying flow conditions. If the velocity at the outer edge of the boundary layer is assumed
0
composed by the mean flow velocity ū and acoustic component u , the rate of circulation production can be
approximated by:
dΓ
Γ̇ = = u2 (t) (12)
dt
The rate of variation of the circulation, uΓ , can be expressed as:

uΓ = kΓ u2 (t) (13)

where kΓ is a calibration parameter. The dependence on the flow velocity u(t) underlines the acoustic
influence on the vortex shedding.
a The friction term is different from zero only at the nozzle and where the grain is not ignited.

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 As for the vortex creation and growth, the detachment criterion is developed as a function of time varying
flow conditions. In this case, the p(t) dependence, local pressure evolution at the shedding point, underlines
the role of the acoustic feedback on vortex shedding dynamics. The vortex separation is imposed each time
the p(t) at the detachment point verifies the following conditions:
d2 p
= 0 (14)
dt2
dp
⇒ local minimum (15)
dt
that corresponds to impose the detachment each time the p(t) evolution presents a descendent node (positive
velocity antinode).
The excitement of the acoustic field, due to the vortex interaction/impingement with an obstacle, is
described by introducing source terms in the Euler equations (ṁvs , q̇vs and ėvs in eq. 9). The mass
source term ṁvs is assumed to be zero, so that the vortex impingement only generates momentum and
energy source terms. A phenomenological description, combined with a dimensional analysis, determines the
following expressions:
ṁvs,i = 0 (16)
 2
u dAp
q̇vs = Ω (17)
Ap dx
 2
ρΩ dAp
ėvs = ρuq̇vs = u (18)
Ap dx
The sound generation is active each time a vortex interacts with a geometrical variation. The influence of
the vortex intensity is represented by the Ω dependence, while the effect of the angle between the vectors is
dAp
described by the term.
dx
The expression introduced to model the source terms and to close the model, derives from a heuristic
process. A calibration is then necessary to obtain a good estimation of the oscillation amplitude.

III. Internal Ballistic quasi-one dimensional model AGAR

AGAR model is composed by the following submodels: a gasdynamic model, a model to evaluate the
combustion rate of ignited propellant grain to evaluate the mass addition from burning surface, a model to
determine the evolution of chamber geometry and an aeroacoustic model.
The gasdynamic model is the SPINBALL (Solid Propellant rocket motor INternal BALListics) model,
created for the analysis of solid rocket motor internal ballistics and already completely developed; a detailed
description can be found in.14 An unsteady quasi-one-dimensional Eulerian model is used, with mass,
momentum and energy addition and a geometrical evolution both in space and time. The used “two fictitious
gases model” allows the analysis of thermophysical properties variable in space and time, and it is not
interested in the spatial time evolution of the single mixture gas (igniter, pressurising gas or propellant
combustion products).15 The governing equation are discretized by a Godunov-type scheme, accurate at
first or second order in space and time. The main model is completed by different submodels (e.g.: cavity
model, heat transfer model).
The grain burnback analysis is the study of the burning surface evolution with time. The used grain
burnback model is the 3D numerical model GREG (Grain REGression); a complete description can be found
in.14 It makes available the all geometrical parameters required for the solution of the internal ballistics. The
use of a 3D model allows the analysis of complex 3D grain shapes (i.e: finocyl grains), also for 0-D or 1-D
flow models. The model provides the all Q-1D geometrical parameters that are required, the space and time
evolution of port area, cavities, burn and wet perimeter. It has to be coupled with the unsteady flowfield
model and an off-line coupling is realized between the gasdynamic and the grain burnback model. Before the
execution of the numerical simulation, it evaluates the grain burning surface, obtained with the assumption
of a constant burning rate. During the simulation, the gasdynamic model uses the data contained in these
tables with an interpolation procedure.
The adopted aeroacoustic model is composed by the following submodels: a model to determine the vortex
dynamics (creation, growth, convection and destruction), a model to evaluate the acoustic field excitation

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by vortex shedding phenomenon and a model to estimate the acoustically forced vortex generation. A quasi-
onedimensional equation describes the vorticity convection by the flow; the acoustic mode excitation by
vortex impingement is modeled with the introduction of source terms in the gasdynamic model. A detailed
description can be found in.10–12

IV. P80 DM pressure oscillations simulation

AGAR model is here applied to the P80 DM aeroacoustics simulation. The static firing test exhibits four
pressure oscillations phases, also called blows, in the first 50 s of the combustion time. A simulation of this
time interval is provided.
The combustion chamber is described by a uniformly spaced grid of 400 cells; the obtained geometrical
time evolution, shown in correspondence of each blow, is in fig. 2. Two different points are underlined in
the figure.
The submergence region, described by 8 cell, is located at the aft end of the combustion chamber. The
volume ratio Vs /Vc that describes the submergence region increases with time, and its values, referred to the
initial and the final configuration of the simulation, vary from 0.133 to 0.154. This region is not a negligible
part of the total combustion chamber, and can affect the motor resonance conditions (effect of the cavity as
Helmholtz resonator).
The second point shown if fig. 2 is the step corresponding to the connection point between the star and
the cylindrical grain. While at the initial configuration it is at cell 303, it recedes, because of the propellant
combustion, up to cell 287 in the final geometrical configuration. As previously seen, AGAR model only
describes corner vortex shedding. For what concerns the P80 DM, the vortex detachment occurs at the
finocyl step, and its position changes with the time passing.

Figure 2. Evolution of P80 geometrical configuration.

The simulation results, in terms of ballistic reconstruction, are visible in fig. 3, where the head pres-
sure time evolution is compared to the experimental data. Except for the ignition transition, a correct
reconstruction of the motor ballistics has been obtained.
The pressure oscillation phases exhibited by P80 DM solid rocket motor are characterized by similar
configurations. A detailed description of the longer and larger resonant phase is here provided (second
blow, 0.23-0.472 of the simulation non-dimensional time). The obtained phenomenological description can
be extended to each resonant phase of the motor.
In fig. IV the pressure, temperature velocity and sound velocity distribution in the combustion chamber
are shown. Two pressure nodes can be noted in the combustion chamber, the first at cell 240, cylindrical
grain region, and the second at cell 310, downstream of the vortex detachment cell. The same points are
visible in the temperature distribution, and they correspond to velocity antinode.
The vorticity field is described by the Ω variable introduced in eq. 10. The vorticity (Ω) distribution is in
fig. 5. With the convection towards the nozzle, the vorticity is gradually damped; the Ω regular envelopment

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 Figure 3. Head pressure time evolution.

(a) Pressure (b) Temperature

(c) Velocity (d) Sound velocity

Figure 4. P80 DM numerical simulation - combustion chamber distributions.

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from the step to the throat section characterizes a resonant configuration. Each local maximum of the Ω
distribution corresponds to a vortex; this configuration shows four/five vortices in the combustion chamber.
This number increases with the combustion time (the grain recedes, the core flow velocity decreases and the
combustion chamber presents an higher number of slower vortices); while the first resonant phase exhibits
three vortices, for the last blow configuration five vortices are attained.

Figure 5. P80 DM numerical simulation - Ω variable combustion chamber distributions.

The adopted vortex detachment criterion can be seen in fig. 6, where the red lines correspond to the
shedding of a vortex. The pressure first and second time derivatives exhibit a separation related to a relative
minimum of the first derivative and to a zero second derivative. These conditions determine a detachment
at each pressure descending node, corresponding to a negative velocity antinode.

(a) Pressure derivatives (b) Pressure and velocity

Figure 6. P80 DM numerical simulation - vortex detachment condition.

An heuristic process has been followed to obtain the expressions of the source terms required to close the
model. In this context, a calibration is necessary for the oscillation amplitude. The simulation here presented
has been developed with a calibration providing a good estimation of the second blow oscillation amplitude;
a correct evaluation is also obtained for the third and fourth blow. Anyway, the amplitude characterization
still represents a point to be deepened.
A characterisation of the pressure oscillation in terms of amplitude and frequency is obtained by using
the HHT (Huang-Hilbert Transform) analysis. The HHT analysis of the head pressure time evolution is in
fig. 7. Three different oscillation phases can be noted (second, third and fourth blow) and their properties

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are summarize in tab. 1.
blow Time [-] Frequency [-] Amplitude [-]
II 0.23 - 0.472 0.94 1
III 0.65 - 0.752 0.86 0.525
IV 0.866 - 0.944 0.989 0.53

Table 1. P80 DM numerical simulation pressure oscillations.

(a) Second blow

(b) Third and fourth blow

Figure 7. P80 experimental static pressure HHT analysis.

These oscillating phases can be analysed also by an FFT analysis. For each time interval related to a
blow, the pressure fluctuating component is described by the spectrum in fig. 8. Each blow is characterized
by two frequency peaks; the first ia around ∼ 0.856 − 1 of the non-dimensional frequency, while the second
in around ∼ 1.297 − 1.42.

V. P80 DM experimental data analysis

The P80 DM experimental head pressure exhibits four pressure oscillation phases (blows). The blow
properties, time, amplitude and frequency, are summarized in tab. 2.
A direct comparison between experimental and numerical pressure oscillations is shown in fig. 9. The
fluctuating head pressure component is filtered between 0.774-1.5474 of the non-dimensional frequency. The
numerical results show a good agreement with both the blow time and amplitude. As shown by this result,
the model correctly describes the system adjustment to resonance condition and the following coming out.
A description of the pressure oscillations in terms of amplitude and frequency is provided by the FFT
analysis of the pressure fluctuating component. The obtained spectra are in fig. 10. The frequency peaks

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 Figure 8. Numerical head pressure FFT analysis.

blow Time [-] Frequency [-] Amplitude [-]

II 0.252 - 0.488 1 1
III 0.69 - 0.79 1.044 0.535
IV 0.88 - 0.97 1.064 0.44

Table 2. P80 experimental pressure oscillations blows.

Figure 9. Numerical simulation and experimental data pressure oscillations.

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between ∼ 0.1 − 1.064 (nondimensional frequency) correspond to the first acoustic mode of the combustion
chamber. The acoustic frequency value moves from 1 for the second blow to 1.064 for the fourth. However,
each spectrum shows two frequency peaks around the acoustic component; the other frequency component
is at 0.97.
A second peak can be noted between ∼ 1.48 − 1.55 (nondimensional frequency); this value decreases from
1.55 for the second blow to 1.48 for the fourth. Also in this case there is a second frequency peak for each
spectrum at 1.58.
The existence of the two frequency components (∼ 1 and ∼ 1.5) is in agreement with the spectra obtained
for the numerical simulation.

Figure 10. Experimental head pressure FFT analysis (pressure static sensor).

VI. P80 DM Rossiter’s analysis

A last analysis of P80 DM aeroacoustic coupling has been performed by using Rossiter’s model (it does
not take into account both two phase flow effects and combustion instability).
Rossiter’s analysis provides an estimate of the number of vortices that corresponds to resonant configura-
tion. The model has to be applied to each blow, because of different flow conditions and stand off distances
li (the flow conditions are related to different vortex convection velocity, while the li changes because of the
grain regression due to the propellant combustion).
The acoustic frequency of the combustion chamber is known from the experimental data analysis (∼
0.97 − 1.064). The vortex convection velocity is a fraction of the mean flow velocity by the kR parameter.
Its value is assumed as kR = 0.58, in accordance with literature.
The obtained results are listed in tab. 3. The number of vortices characterizing each resonant phase
increases with the combustion time, moving from 7 to 11. Because of this too high values, Rossiter’s model
does not identify any possible resonance solution for this motor during the whole analysed time interval.
If the kR parameter is modified, and the vortex is supposed to be convected at the mean flow velocity
(kR = 1), the model shows a physically reasonable resonance configuration only for the first blow.
As a result, it is possible to conclude that Rossiter’s model does not determine the existence of possible
resonance condition for the P80 DM.

VII. Concluding remarks

In the present work AGAR quasi-onedimensional model for the simulation of the flow time evolution in
SRMs is presented. The analysis of the obtained pressure oscillations allows to characterize these oscillations
in terms of amplitude and frequency.
The model has been applied to the simulation of the aeroacoustic coupling of P80 DM solid rocket motor.

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 I II III IV
li 2.6 2.85 2.9 2.9
k 0.58 0.58 0.58 0.58
u 40 30 30 28
m 7 10 10 11

Table 3. P80 analysis using Rossiter’s model.

The simulation of the last three blows exhibited by the experimental data is in good agreement with
the static firing test results. Both the blow timing and the oscillation amplitude are in accordance with the
experimental data; the frequency characterization is also coherent, notwithstanding the obtained values are
slightly lower than the experimental.
The model provides a good phenomenological description of the aeroacoustic coupling mechanism, as
confirmed by the experimental data. Further, the model correctly describes the system adjustment to
resonance condition and the following coming out.
The heuristic process followed to close the model makes it necessary an amplitude calibration. A model
improvement can arise from a deepening and re-discussion of the adopted closure.
Further improvements of the model can derive from the phenomena at the moment neglected. The most
important aspects to introduce are related to parietal and obstacle vortex shedding, to two phase-flow effects
and to the combustion instability.
In order to complete the model understanding and description, the model application to the aeroacoustic
analysis of other solid rocket motors is a primary objective. In the European framework, this goal can be
achieved by performing detailed studies of Ariane 5 SRM aeroacoustics.

Acknowledgements
The present activities were partially financed by ESA/ESRIN. The authors would like to thank Avio,
Europropulsion, CNES, ELV and ESA. The development and production of Vega SRMs are mainly due to
AVIO Group S.p.A. (Colleferro Factory). Avio is prime contractor for the P80 SRM with a delegation to
Europropulsion, France. The Program is managed by CNES/ESA.

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