AE305 AERODYNAMICS – I

GUIDELINE FOR LAB REPORT 1

In this lab, you are expected to calculate the performance of the given airfoils with respect to selected
Reynolds numbers (Re) using XFLR5. You can find the airfoils for your group in the shared Airfoil
List.

In the list, first three airfoils have experimental sectional data from the wind tunnel tests carried out by
University of Illinois (UIUC) for low Re values. You can find the airfoil coordinates (.dat files) and the
report including the experimental results in the database of the UIUC (links are shared at the end of the
report). Some airfoil coordinates taken from this database need to be rearranged to get proper airfoil
geometry and panel refinements.

Also, there are various NACA airfoils exist on the list which can be plotted directly using XFLR5. You
don’t have to compare these two NACA profiles with experimental results. You need to use them for
comparison of the numerical results as stated below.

Each airfoil should be investigated within the given Re number range. In the shared airfoil list, you’ll
also find some specific Re number values for your group. They are:

Re Range: Re number values to be selected for the calculations of each airfoil

Rec : Re number which should be used for the XFLR5 result comparisons (will be discussed below)

Reex : Re number which should be used for the experimental comparisons (will be discussed below)

All of the students must set the angle of attack (AoA) values as follows:

𝛼𝑚𝑖𝑛 = −5𝑜 , 𝛼𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 15𝑜 , ∆𝛼 = 0.2𝑜

Report must include:

1- Investigation of the influence of panel numbers on the 𝑪𝒍 value: For the selected airfoil,
calculate the 𝐶𝑙 at 𝛼 = 8𝑜 with panel number of 40, 80, 120, 150 respectively and show the
change in the result (Take Re number as Rec).
2- Drawing of the sectional lift coefficient vs. AoA graphs for given Re numbers for all airfoils:
Run analysis for all airfoils with given Re range. Observe and comment on the influence of the
viscous effects for at least of two airfoils.
3- Average percentage difference between viscous and inviscid 𝑪𝑷 distributions for 𝜶 = 𝟒𝒐 and
𝜶 = 𝟏𝟒𝒐 : Pick one of your NACA airfoils. Select the operating point for first AoA, export the
calculated 𝐶𝑃 values and find the total average percentage difference between inviscid and
viscous solutions. Comment on the difference and apply the same procedure for the second AoA
(Take Re number as Rec).
4- Comparison of the aerodynamic characteristics for two NACA airfoils: Comment on the
characteristics of two NACA profiles based on the XFLR5 results (Take Re number as Rec).
5- Comparison of the aerodynamic characteristics for first three airfoils with experimental
results: Once you get the related graphs from the XFLR5, compare it with experimental results
which are given in UIUC report for three airfoils and stated Re number. Find the error
percentage for different AoA values. Comment on the possible causes (Take Re number as
Reex).
6- Your own comments about the capabilities and feasibility of XFLR5.
Each group should consist of 4 to 5 people. Group information should be shared via an e-mail
(aero.ciftcioglu@gmail.com) by a group member. Otherwise, your group will be formed randomly. Due
date for the formation of the groups is 25.11.2022. Airfoil list will be shared after the formation of
groups.

The report should consist of maximum number of 15 pages. Context should be written in the given
format:

1-Purpose

Define the purpose of this calculations and their relation with XFLR5.

2-Airfoil and Other Parameters

Explain the given airfoils. For NACA profiles, use the nomenclature for explanation. Also write down
your Re number values in this section.

3-Results

Share your simulation results, calculation and graphs in this section with short explanations.

4-Conclusion

Write your comments about the results in this section briefly.

5-References

Note: You can add a “contributions” chart to the end of the report stating the writers of each section.
Please research your comments and ground them on to a scientific approach. Use references if necessary.

XFLR5 Guideline:

https://engineering.purdue.edu/~aerodyn/AAE333/FALL10/HOMEWORKS/HW13/XFLR5_v6.01_B
eta_Win32%282%29/Release/Guidelines.pdf

UIUC Database (first three airfoils):

Airfoil Coordinates: https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/coord_database.html

Wind-Tunnel Report: https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/uiuc_lsat/Low-Speed-Airfoil-Data-V3.pdf

Submission:

Please write your reports clearly, carefully and in line with the given format. Deadline for the submission
of the reports is 30.11.2022. Please write and send your reports to aero.ciftcioglu@gmail.com before
deadline, otherwise your reports will not be evaluated.