Flow over an airfoil (Flow Simulation using Solidworks)

AIM:

1. Modeling: Model the flow over an EPPLER 874 airfoil.
2. The angle of Attack Analysis: To compare the lift, coefficient of lift and drag forces for the angle of attacks from 0 to 45 deg.

1. Modeling the Flow over an EPPLER 874 Airfoil:

Introduction:

An airfoil-shaped body moved through a fluid produces an aerodynamic force. The component of this force perpendicular to the direction of motion is called lift. The component parallel to the direction of motion is called drag.

The lift on an airfoil is primarily the result of its angle of attack and shape. When oriented at a suitable angle, the airfoil deflects the oncoming air (for fixed-wing aircraft, a downward force), resulting in a force on the airfoil in the direction opposite to the deflection. This force is known as aerodynamic force and can be resolved into two components: lift and drag.

EPPLER 874:

1. Angle of Attack Analysis:

To carry out Angle of Attack Analysis, Flow Simulation with inlet air at 600 m/s was conducted with Angle of Attack from 0 deg. to 45 deg. 

Result:

The Outcome of the Study is tabulated as below.

Table 1

Where,

L = Lift Force (N)

D = Drag Force (N)

Cl = Coefficient of Lift = L / (A * .5 * rho * V^2)

Lift Force vs. Angle of Attack

Coefficient of Lift vs. Angle of Attack

Drag vs. Angle of Attack

Lift & Drag vs. Angle of Attack

Conclusion:

From the above graph plots and Velocity profiles, it can be concluded that

• The Lift Force increases with an increase in the angle of attack. Initially, the Slope of the Lift force Curve is higher/steeper and then it flattens out at 30 deg. the angle of attack.
• The Drag Force also increases with an increase in the angle of attack. But, initially, the Slope of the Drag Force Curve is lower/flatter and then it gets steeper at 25 deg. Of angle of attack.
• It can be found that The Critical angle of attack is 30 deg.