Kutta Condition

Thought Experiment1
Suppose we model the flow around an airfoil using a potential flow approach.
L'

Question:
Answer:

We know the following:

u =
L = V
D = 0
=0
u in = 0
Bernoulli applies

How many potential flow solutions are possible?

Infinitely many!

For example:

Flow #1
Both of these flows have circulation which are not all equal

1 2 L1 L2

Anderson, Sec. 4.5

Flow #2

Kutta Condition

Another difference can be observed at the trailing edge:

Flow #1
Flow leaves t.e. smoothly.
Velocity is not infinite.

Flow #2
Flow turning around a sharp
corner has infinite velocity
at corner for potential flow.

As a result of this and the physical evidence, Kutta hypothesized:

In a physical flow (i.e. having viscous effects), the flow will smoothly leave a
sharp trailing edge. -Kutta Condition

Flow #1 is physically correct!

Lets look at Flow #1 a little more closely:
Finite angle T.E. ( te > 0)

Vlower
t.e.

T.E.

Vupper

Upper and lower surface

velocities must still be
tangent to their
respective surfaces.
This implies 2 different
velocities at TE.

16.100 2002

Kutta Condition

Only realistic option:

Vlower = Vupper = 0 for finite angle T.E.

Note: from Bernoulli, this implies

pt .e. = p +

1
1
V2 Vt .2e.
2
2 =0

1
V2
2
TE is a stagnation point
with pt .e. total pressure

pt .e. = p +

Cusped TE ( te = 0)

Vupper
T.E.

Vlower

In this case, velocities

from upper and lower
surface are aligned.

In order for the pressure at the TE to be unique:

Vupper = Vlower

16.100 2002