• DECEMBER 2019

Flying on Earth
Results
• Pressure Coefficient is given by:
Leading edge Trailing edge
𝑝 − 𝑝∞
𝐶𝑝 = 1 2
2
𝜌∞ 𝑉∞

where 𝑝 – static pressure at the point where pressure

coefficient is evaluated, 𝑝∞ , 𝜌∞ , 𝑉∞ – free stream values of
static pressure, density and velocity, respectively.
• 𝐶𝑝 in an incompressible flow can never exceed unity and in
this example the maximum pressure coefficient is at the Pressure Coefficient contour over the airfoil
leading edge of airfoil’s lower surface.
• 𝐶𝑝 on the upper side is lower than on the lower side and Lower (pressure) side

this net pressure difference generates the lift force on the

airfoil.
• The pressure difference between the upper and lower sides Upper (suction) side

is much larger at airfoil’s leading edge which indicates that

most of the lift force generated is at its leading edge.
Results
• The airfoil is subjected to the force arising from the interaction of the airflow with its surface.
• This total force is typically described in terms of its drag and lift components:
‐ The drag force 𝐷 (or simply drag) acts in the direction of the upstream velocity, and
‐ The lift force 𝐿 (or simply lift) acts normal to the flow direction.
• Lift and drag are commonly expressed in terms of lift and drag coefficients by scaling 𝐿 and 𝐷 by the freestream
dynamic pressure and reference area 𝑆 .
𝐿
‐ Coefficient of lift : 𝐶𝑙 =
𝑞𝑆
𝐷
‐ Coefficient of drag : 𝐶𝑑 =
𝑞𝑆

• The computed values of 𝐶𝑙 and 𝐶𝑑 for this simulation are 0.53 and 0.024 respectively.

Predicted lift and drag coefficients

 Results

Vectors of velocity colored velocity magnitude Small area of flow separation occurs
at the trailing edge because of its
round shape which the flow can no
longer follow

Boundary layer along the airfoil surface is

generated due to the viscous effects