TY - JOUR

T1 - Numerical Investigation of Winglet Aerodynamics and Dimple Effect of NACA 0017 Airfoil for a Freight Aircraft

AU - Lewthwaite, Matthew Thomas

AU - Amaechi, Chiemela Victor

PY - 2022/3/7

Y1 - 2022/3/7

N2 - Drag reduction is an ever-present challenge within the aeronautical engineering industry. This paper presents two substantial wing modifications: the addition of a winglet of a freighter aircraft and a dimpled wing on the NACA 0017 aerofoils. Studies on nine (9) different geometries of dimpled aerofoils were performed against a control model of an aerofoil without any dimple. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was performed using two (2) commercial CFD platforms. This paper also explored two novel solutions of aircraft optimisation to mitigate the effects of drag and leading-edge pressure, while increasing the effect of lift. The optimised performance model of a freighter aircraft increased its aerodynamic efficiency. The study found that at take-off velocity of 82 m/s, winglets decreased pressure on the wing by 16.31%, through flow redirection and better flow integration into aerofoils wake. The study also analysed the separation layer and its effect through the appropriate use of the dimple effect. Increased lift effects were observed on a NACA 0017 aerofoil. Despite the low increase in drag of 6% from the modifications, the resultant L/D ratio was highly increased. This study also faced some challenges with validating the model. Hence some validation approaches were taken, and some other approaches suggested for future studies.

AB - Drag reduction is an ever-present challenge within the aeronautical engineering industry. This paper presents two substantial wing modifications: the addition of a winglet of a freighter aircraft and a dimpled wing on the NACA 0017 aerofoils. Studies on nine (9) different geometries of dimpled aerofoils were performed against a control model of an aerofoil without any dimple. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was performed using two (2) commercial CFD platforms. This paper also explored two novel solutions of aircraft optimisation to mitigate the effects of drag and leading-edge pressure, while increasing the effect of lift. The optimised performance model of a freighter aircraft increased its aerodynamic efficiency. The study found that at take-off velocity of 82 m/s, winglets decreased pressure on the wing by 16.31%, through flow redirection and better flow integration into aerofoils wake. The study also analysed the separation layer and its effect through the appropriate use of the dimple effect. Increased lift effects were observed on a NACA 0017 aerofoil. Despite the low increase in drag of 6% from the modifications, the resultant L/D ratio was highly increased. This study also faced some challenges with validating the model. Hence some validation approaches were taken, and some other approaches suggested for future studies.

KW - dimple effect

KW - NACA 0017 aerofoil

KW - winglet aerodynamics

KW - drag and lift coefficients

KW - vortex induced vibration (VIV)

KW - computational fluid dynamics (CFD)

KW - freight aircraft

KW - aerofoil

U2 - 10.3390/inventions7010031

DO - 10.3390/inventions7010031

M3 - Journal article

VL - 7

JO - Inventions — Open Access Journal

JF - Inventions — Open Access Journal

SN - 2411-5134

IS - 1

M1 - 31

ER -