Wing tip vortex CFD simulation
Using Computational Fluid dynamics method to evaluate aerodynamics characteristics
Using Computational Fluid dynamics method to evaluate aerodynamics characteristics
A few details
To generate a lift force, an aircraft airfoil should effectively generate high pressure in the bottom surface and low pressure (suction) on the top surface. The problem for a 3D wing is at the tip of the wing a “leak” flow occurs because of the pressure difference between top and bottom surface. This flow finally create a rotating motion and accumulated become a vortex known as tip vortex. This vortex can reduce lift and increase drag which adversely affect the wing’s performance. We can utilise wing tip devices such as end plate or winglet to get rid or at least reduce the tip vortex. With Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation, we can easily predict this phenomenon; this simulation is done with openFOAM CFD program.
How we solved it
In this study, we use the Reynold-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) method to model the flow and evaluate the aerodynamic characteristics.