AIRFOIL:

By: Dr.Chinnapat
Thipyopas (fengcpt) Parameters and Aerodynamic Characteristics
Airplane Structure:
http://911review.com/reviews/physics911/missing_wings/missingwings.html
Wing Structure
http://www.airfieldmodels.com/information_source/math_and_science_of_model_aircraft/rc_aircraft_design/styles_of_wing_construction.htm

Rib
Spar
Wing Shape (Planform)

The arrangement of ribs

The size of ribs
Airfoil or Wing Section

Lift of 3D wing Lift of 2D airfoil sections

2D section flows are not completely independent, but they influence

each others effective angle of attack (apparent local V)!
Airfoil
http://www.allstar.fiu.edu/aero/wing31.htm
TYPICAL AIRFOIL SECTIONS

Low speed section for

gliders

Transonic section

Transonic section with

flaps
TYPICAL AIRFOIL SECTIONS

Supersonic biconvex
section

Supersonic double
wedge

Supersonic single
wedge
Low Speed Airfoil
http://www.hk-phy.org/energy/transport/trans_phy05_e.html

Free-stream
 Airfoil Generates Lift

Free-stream
Viscous Effect Boundary Layer
Shear Force:
Laminar Flow
u Turbulence Flow

y y 0
1
C f U 2
2
Force on the airfoil

Pressure Force
Shear Force
Moment on the airfoil
x Force x Length =
Moment

dM z p x dx dy x

M z p x dx dy
Forces & Moment (due to Pressure Force & Shear Force)

dF pn ei dS t ei dS

F pn ei dS t ei dS
 Normal Force (due to Pressure Force & Shear Force)

dF pn ei dS t ei dS

Shear F. is small
F pn ei dS t ei dS

Normal Force Since airfoil is very thin

dFz p dxdy (compared to the length), skin
Fz p dxdy friction force is very small.
Then, only pressure force is
considered for the force in Z
direction (Normal Force).
Axial Force (due to Pressure Force & Shear Force)

dF pn ei dS t ei dS

F pn ei dS t ei dS

Although airfoil is very thin, Axial Force

but pressure force is still Fx pn e dS t e dS
quit significant. So both
pressure force and shear
force is taken into account
for calculation of force in
X direction (axial force)
 Forces & Moment (due to Pressure Force & Shear Force)

dF pn ei dS t ei dS

F pn ei dS t ei dS

An interested Airfoil thickness is very tiny, pressure

x component. is small
force acts on the center, moment from
moment for this pressure force is negligible.
airfoil is moment in
Shear force is presented on upper &
Y axis. This called
lower surface, + distance is very small,
Pitching Moment moment (shear force) is cancel.

Pitching Moment dM 0 p x dx dy
M 0 p x dx dy
 Forces & Moment (due to Pressure Force & Shear Force)

dF pn ei dS t ei dS

Shear F. is small
F pn ei dS t ei dS

x component. is small
Normal Force Axial Force

dFz p dxdy Fx pn e dS t e dS
Fz p dxdy

Pitching Moment dM 0 p x dx dy
M 0 p x dx dy
Skin Friction Force & Coefficient
Laminar flow Turbulence flow

Local Reynolds number U x

Re x

x
Skin Friction Force & Coefficient
Laminar flow Turbulence flow

Local Reynolds number U x

Re x

Local Skin Friction 0.664 0.0583
Coefficient Cf Cf
(Re x ) 0.5 (Re x ) 0.2

x
Skin Friction Force & Coefficient
Laminar flow Turbulence flow

Mean or Average Value

Local Reynolds number pU x
Re x

0.664 0.0583
Local Skin Friction Cf Cf
Coefficient (Re x ) 0.5 (Re ) 0.2
L x

Length-based Reynolds U L
number Re L

1.328 0.074
Total Skin Friction
Coefficient
Cf Cf
(Re L ) 0.5 (Re L ) 0.2
Skin Friction Force & Coefficient
Laminar flow Turbulence flow

Local Reynolds number U x

Re x

0.664 0.0583
Local Skin Friction Cf Cf
Coefficient (Re x ) 0.5 (Re x ) 0.2

Length-based Reynolds U L
number Re L

1.328 0.074
Total Skin Friction
Coefficient
Cf Cf
(Re L ) 0.5 (Re L ) 0.2
Example Critical Re for FP = 500 000

Calculate the Local skin friction at point 0.5 m from

leading edge of a flat-plate 1.2m-airfoil flying at
60 m/s at a height of 6 km. What is a total skin
friction drag force (per 1 unit span) of this wing?

Discuss the result of the above problem. (between

laminar and turbulence flow)

Density = 0.6601kg/m3, = 1.5949 kg/s.m

Example

Calculate the Local skin friction at point 0.5 m from

leading edge of a flat-plate 1.2m-airfoil flying at
60 m/s at a height of 6 km. What is a total skin
friction drag force (per 1 unit span) of this wing?

Discuss the result of the above problem. (between

laminar and turbulence flow)

Density = 0.6601kg/m3, = 1.5949x10-5 kg/s.m

Boundary Layer Transition
Critical Reynolds Number
Laminar flow changes to Turbulence flow

For the Flatplate; Recr = 500 000

According to the Example before
What is the transition location on the wing?
How to calculate skin friction drag?

Turbulence Turbulence
xtr + -
=
Laminar Laminar Turbulence

Re-calculate the fraction drag force

Sol. For the Example

Re(L) = 1.241 E6
Xtr = 0.201 m
Local skin friction @ 0.5m (tur) = 4.186N/m2
Total skin friction drag
Part1 (Laminar) = 0.448N/m
Part1+2 (Turbulence) = 5.346N/m

Part1 (Tur) = 1.281N/m

Total Skin Drag = 4.52N/m X 2 = 9N/m