B5xEK Fluids 1

5. Aerodynamics
5.3 2D aerofoils / airfoils

• Using 2D thinking to understand and create airfoils

• Review of flow processes for aerofoils
• Some standard shapes
• Standard behaviour of 2D aerofoils
 Aerofoil
An aerofoil is the cross-sectional shape of a wing, or a blade
of a propeller, rotor, or turbine, or of a sail.

ing
W

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 Aerofoil
An aerofoil is the cross-sectional shape of a wing, blade (of a
propeller, rotor, or turbine), or sail.

Upper surface (Suction side)

Reminder of terminology:

Lower surface (Pressure side)

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 Aerofoil

4
 Aerofoil

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 Aerofoil Separation

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 NACA four-digit family

NACA 0006

1. The first two digits equal zero mean

that it is a symmetric aerofoil

2. The last two digits give the thickness

as thickness-to-chord ratio in %

NACA 0025

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 1. The first digit indicates the camber
• In % of the chord length
• It is approximately the negative of the zero-lift angle
2. The second digit indicates the position of the maximum camber
• In 10% of chord length from leading edge
3. The last two digits give the thickness
• in thickness-to-chord ratio in %
NACA 2206 NACA 2706

NACA 2721
NACA 4206 NACA 4706

NACA 4721
NACA 6206 NACA 6706

8 NACA 6721
 Variation of Lift with Angle of Attack
l At small angles of attack l Above a certain value of 𝛼
– Flow is attached – The flow separates from the
– CL increases with a aerofoil’s upper surface.
– There is an angle of attack – This flow separation is due to the
where CL = 0 viscous effects.

CL, max

a stall
Point of maximum lift coefficient:
- Needs lowest speed for needed lift – The aerofoil goes into stall
- Stall velocity for weight W: – The lift drops rapidly
%&
- 𝑈!"#$$ = – Drag increases significantly
'!,#$% ( )
– Stall is of critical importance in
a(L=0) aircraft and wind turbine design
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 Lift Curve (Lift Slope, a0)
Viscous flow aerofoil theory

Inviscid flow aerofoil theory

CL- α for
symmetric
aerofoil

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 Finite Wing (3D)

Finite Wing

Wing tip Wing tip

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 Aerofoil (2D Wing)

Wall Infinite Wing

Wall

Flush with the vertical side walls of the tunnel

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NACA 2412 airfoil

Axis for CL

Axis for
Moment coefficient at
quarter chord length,
Cm,c/4

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