Numerical analysis of aerodynamics flow characteristics over symmetrical and unsymmetrical airfoil

• Main Authors: Vijayakumar, Karthikeyan Kailam, Rajan, Harish
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerodynamics; Airfoils; Drag; Drag coefficients; Equilibrium flow; Flow characteristics; Fluid dynamics; Fluid flow; Incompressible flow; Numerical analysis; Turbine blades; Turbulence models; Turbulent flow; Two dimensional flow; Wind turbines; Wings (aircraft)
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0156965

In this study, the turbulent flow over symmetrical and unsymmetrical airfoils was investigated numerically at different inlet velocities. The airfoils chosen for the simulation are symmetrical (NACA 0015) and unsymmetrical (NACA 4412), which are the most conventional four-digit and widely used airfoils. These airfoils are vastly used for various applications such as aircraft wings, wind turbine blades, etc. While both of these airfoils were subjected to the same fluid principle, it gave contradictory results in their aerodynamic behavior. In this paper, two different meshing techniques were used for the airfoils and the numerical analysis of NACA 0015 and NACA 4412 was carried out to study their aerodynamic behavior. A 2D steady-state incompressible turbulent flow is used to model the computational issue. The performance of the turbulence model is also reviewed. The lift and drag coefficients of the airfoils were numerically measured using the k − ε turbulence model. This study briefs the aerodynamic flow characteristics of both airfoils and evaluates the pressure and velocity contours, lift force and drag force.