Open Access

ARTICLE

A Novel Multi-Step Numerical Framework for Ice Accretion Prediction Based on Unsteady Water Film Dynamics

Ke Shen^1,2,*, Dan Zeng^1,2, Changhao Wang¹, Lei Wang¹, Yuliang Dong¹
1 School of Aviation Maintenance Engineering, Chengdu Aeronautic Polytechnic University, Chengdu, 610100, China
2 College of Aerospace Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210001, China
* Corresponding Author: Ke Shen. Email:

Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer https://doi.org/10.32604/fhmt.2025.070396

Received 15 July 2025; Accepted 17 October 2025; Published online 21 November 2025

Abstract

Ice accretion on aircraft poses a critical threat to flight safety by significantly altering aerodynamic performance. This study presents a novel numerical framework for ice accretion prediction, developed by extending the Myers model and incorporating an advanced multi-step approach. The proposed framework integrates ice layer growth into the modeling of unsteady water film dynamics and introduces a revised criterion for determining the icing condition. A multi-step scheme, accounting for the continuous variation of physical parameters, is implemented to enhance computational accuracy. The framework is validated through simulations on both 2D and 3D configurations. For the NACA0012 airfoil, the model demonstrates strong adaptability to both rime and glaze ice scenarios, with simulated ice shapes and thicknesses showing close agreement with experimental data, especially under low-temperature rime ice scenarios. In glaze ice cases, the framework effectively captures the leading-edge ice thickness and horn formation, albeit with minor positional deviations. For the GLC-305 swept wing, the approach accurately reproduces the primary ice shape features and overall thickness distribution. However, discrepancies in icing extent and thickness persist under rime scenarios due to the limitations of the single-step strategy. In glaze ice scenarios, the model captures the general trend of ice horn development, though positional and thickness deviations remain. Overall, the developed framework improves the precision of ice accretion simulations and offers a promising tool for advancing aircraft safety. Future research will aim to refine the multi-step framework to further improve its robustness and accuracy in complex, 3D icing environments.

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Graphical Abstract

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Keywords

Ice accretion; numerical study; Myers model; multi-step; water film dynamics

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