Analytical and computational modeling of unsteady flow over an airfoil at high angles of attack

• Grant number: 18/23293-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2019
• End date: December 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Aerospace Engineering - Aerodynamics
• Principal Investigator: Flávio Donizeti Marques
• Grantee: George Lucas Souto Torres
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 19/04366-6 - Improved formulation for a semi-analytical model for separated flow over an unsteady airfoil, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

The objective of this research project is to compare analytical and computational approaches used to model an unsteady flow behavior on airfoils at high angles of attack. An analytical model is used to explain the behavior of the vortices generated behind an inclined two-dimensional flat plate. The potential theory and the Joukowsky transformation were used, being analyzed the kinematic and dynamic characteristics of the flow for high angles of attack. A computational model is then used to analyze an unsteady flow over an airfoil through the Discrete Vortex Method (DVM). Also, the Uhlman method is implemented in the DVM, allowing the calculation of the pressure distribution at the airfoil during high angle of attack maneuvers. Lastly, analytical and computational approaches are compared, which helps to understand better the characteristics of each method concerning its application in unsteady aerodynamics for cases involving high angles of attack, such as dynamic stall.