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Article
Publication date: 2 October 2017

M. Tahani, M. Masdari and M. Kazemi

This paper aims to analyze the influence of the changings in geometrical parameters on the aerodynamic performance of the control canard projectiles.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the influence of the changings in geometrical parameters on the aerodynamic performance of the control canard projectiles.

Design/methodology/approach

Because of the mentioned point, the range of projectiles increment has a considerable importance, and the design algorithm of a control canard projectile was first written. Then, were studied the effects of canard geometric parameters such as aspect ratio, taper ratio and deflectable nose on lift to drag coefficient ratio, static margin based on the slender body theory and cross section flow.

Findings

The code results show that aspect ratio increment, results in an increase in lift-to-drag ratio of the missile, but increase in canard taper ratio results in increasing of lift-to-drag ratio at 1° angle of attack, while during increasing the canard taper ratio up to 0.67 at 4° angle of attack, lift to drag first reaches to maximum and then decreases. Also, static margin decreases with canard taper ratio and aspect ratio increment. The developed results for this type of missile were compared with same experimental and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) results and appreciated agreement with other results at angles of attack between 0° and 6°.

Practical implications

To design a control canard missile, the effect of each geometric parameter of canard needs to be estimated. For this purpose, the suitable algorithm is used. In this paper, the effects of canard geometric parameters, such as aspect ratio, taper ratio and deflectable nose on lift-to-drag coefficient ratio and static margin, were studied with help of the slender body theory and cross-section flow.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper is to predict the aerodynamic characteristics for the control canard missile. In this study, the effect of the design parameter on aerodynamic characteristics can be estimated, and the effect of geometrical characteristics has been analyzed with a suitable algorithm. Also, the best lift-to-drag coefficient for the NASA Tandem Control Missile at Mach 1.75 was selected at various angles of attack. The developed results for this type of missile were compared with same experimental and CFD results.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 89 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 December 2021

Seyhun Durmus

Blended wing body (BWB) is a very advantageous design in terms of low fuel consumption, low emission and low noise levels. Because of these advantages, the BWB is a candidate to…

Abstract

Purpose

Blended wing body (BWB) is a very advantageous design in terms of low fuel consumption, low emission and low noise levels. Because of these advantages, the BWB is a candidate to become the commercial passenger aircraft of the future by providing a paradigm shift in conventional designs. This paper aims to propose a key design parameter for wing sizing of subsonic BWB and a performance parameter for calculating the lift/drag ratio values of BWBs.

Design/methodology/approach

The parameter proposed in the study is based on the square/cube law, that is, the idea that the wetted area is proportional to the power of 2/3 of the weight. Data on the weight, wing area, wingspan, lift-to-drag (L/D) ratio for 19 BWB used in the analyzes were compiled from the published literature and a theoretical methodology was developed to estimate the maximum lift to drag ratio of BWBs. The accuracy of the proposed key design parameter was questioned by comparing the estimated L/Dmax values with the actual values.

Findings

In the current study, it is claimed that the wingspan/(take-off gross weight)(1/3) parameter provides an L/D efficiency coefficient regardless of aircraft size. The proposed key design parameter is useful both for small-scale BWB, that is unmanned aerial vehicles BWB and for large-scale BWB designs. Therefore, the b/Wg(1/3) parameter offers a dimensionless L/D efficiency coefficient for BWB designs of different scales. The wetted aspect ratio explains how low aspect ratio (AR)-BWB designs can compete with high AR-tube-and-wing designs. The key parameter is also useful for getting an idea of good or bad BWB with design and performance data published in the literature. As a result, reducing the blending area and designing a smaller central body are typical features of aerodynamically efficient BWB.

Originality/value

As the role of the square/cube law in the conceptual aircraft design stage has not been sufficiently studied in the literature, the application of this law to BWBs, a new generation of designs, makes the study original. Estimation of the wetted area ratio using only wingspan and gross weight data is an alternative and practical method for assessing the aerodynamic performance of the BWB. According to the model proposed in the current study, reducing the take-off gross weight of the BWBs using lighter building materials and designing with a larger wingspan (b) are the main recommendations for an aerodynamically efficient BWB.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 94 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 January 2017

Mojtaba Tahani, Mehran Masdari and Ali Bargestan

This paper aims to investigate the aerodynamic characteristics as well as static stability of wing-in-ground effect aircraft. The effect of geometrical characteristics, namely…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the aerodynamic characteristics as well as static stability of wing-in-ground effect aircraft. The effect of geometrical characteristics, namely, twist angle, dihedral angle, sweep angle and taper ratio are examined.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic code is developed to investigate the aerodynamic characteristics of the effect. The turbulent model is utilized for characterization of flow over wing surface.

Findings

The numerical results show that the maximum change of the drag coefficient depends on the angle of attack, twist angle and ground clearance, in a decreasing order. Also, it is found that the lift coefficient increases as the ground clearance, twist angle and dihedral angle decrease. On the other hand, the sweep angle does not have a significant effect on the lift coefficient for the considered wing section and Reynolds number. Also, as the aerodynamic characteristics increase, the taper ratio befits in trailing state.

Practical implications

To design an aircraft, the effect of each design parameter needs to be estimated. For this purpose, the sensitivity analysis is used. In this paper, the influence of all parameter against each other including ground clearance, angle of attack, twist angle, dihedral angle and sweep angle for the NACA 6409 are investigated.

Originality/value

As a summary, the contribution of this paper is to predict the aerodynamic performance for the cruise condition. In this study, the sensitivity of the design parameter on aerodynamic performance can be estimated and the effect of geometrical characteristics has been investigated in detail. Also, the best lift to drag coefficient for the NACA 6409 wing section specifies and two types of taper ratios in ground effect are compared.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 89 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2022

Somashekar V. and Immanuel Selwynraj A.

The heatwave effects over an airfoil have a greater influence in the aerodynamic efficiency. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of heatwave upon the low…

Abstract

Purpose

The heatwave effects over an airfoil have a greater influence in the aerodynamic efficiency. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of heatwave upon the low Reynolds number airfoil aerodynamic performance.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, the heatwave effects on micro-aerial vehicles’ wing operation are also demonstrated both numerically and experimentally, at the Chord-based Reynolds number Rec = 2 × 105, and under the influence of various environmental temperatures, i.e. 27ºC (room temperature), 40ºC and 50ºC for various flying conditions. A numerical investigation of the low Reynolds number flows with the thermal effect around the unmanned aerial vehicle is presented using the k–ɛ turbulent model. Besides that, the low Reynolds number-based wind tunnel experimental setup is developed to determine the effects of a heatwave over an airfoil. Then, the numerical simulations and wind tunnel experiments are conducted.

Findings

The numerical and wind tunnel’s experimental investigations have been performed on a 2D airfoil under a heatwave environment, i.e. 27ºC, 40ºC and 50ºC for different flight conditions. The numerical and experimental results revealed that the heatwave effect and aerodynamic performance are validated with experimental results. The lift and drag coefficients for both numerical and experimental results show very good correlation at Reynolds number 2 × 105.

Practical implications

The consequences of the increasing temperatures to varying degrees will also be experienced by all commercial aircraft. That is why some great findings are presented here, which are highly relevant for the current and future airline operations. However, sooner than later, the aviation industry should also begin to consider the rising effects of temperature on aircraft operations to develop the loss-reducing adaptable plans.

Originality/value

From the numerical and wind tunnel experimental results, the recorded maximum lift coefficients are observed to be 2.42, 2.39 and 2.36 for 27ºC (room temperature), 40ºC and 50ºC, respectively, at 16° angle of attack, numerically. Similarly, the recorded maximum lift coefficients are observed to be 2.410, 2.382 and 2.354 for 27ºC (room temperature), 40ºC and 50ºC, respectively, at 16° angle of attack, experimentally. The heatwave effects over an airfoil have a greater influence in the aerodynamic efficiency.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 95 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 1962

J.C. Hamilton

DURING the first forty years or so of the history of manned flight, the application of aerodynamics was confined largely to subsonic speeds and to one basic aircraft shape. Since…

Abstract

DURING the first forty years or so of the history of manned flight, the application of aerodynamics was confined largely to subsonic speeds and to one basic aircraft shape. Since the end of the Second World War the aerodynamic domain has expanded in spectacular fashion in terms of speed and shape until at the present time ‘conventional’ manned aircraft are penetrating into the realms of hypersonic velocities and the satellite vehicle has brought with it aerodynamic problems at what must surely be the near‐ultimate speed range for the technology. Nor are these advances confined to high‐speed aerodynamics: they include radically new approaches to low‐speed problems, particularly those arising from take‐off and landing manoeuvres.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 34 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 29 April 2014

Andrzej Majka

The purpose of this paper is to propose a solution of the engine bypass ratio choice problem of a very light jet (VLJ) class aircraft using the multiple objective optimization…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a solution of the engine bypass ratio choice problem of a very light jet (VLJ) class aircraft using the multiple objective optimization (MOO) method.

Design/methodology/approach

The work focuses on the choice of one of the most essential parameters of the jet engine, that is its bypass ratio. The work presents the methodology of optimal designing using the multitask character of the matter which is based on the mathematical model of optimization in the concept of the set theory. To make an optimal choice of the chosen parameter, a complete computational model of an aircraftwas made (aerodynamic, power unit, performance and cost) and then the method that allows to choose the bypass ratio was selected, regardingmultiple estimating criteria of the obtained solutions. The presented method can be used at the concept design state for determining the chosen and most important technical parameters of the aircraft.

Findings

The way to design a competing aircraft is to choose its design parameters, including the power unit, by using the advanced methods of MOO. The main aim of the work was to demonstrate a method of selecting chosen parameters of the transport aircraft at the preliminary design stage. The work focuses on the choice of bypass ratio of the jet engine of the VLJ. The method could be helpful at the preliminary design stage of a new aircraft to selection of other design parameters.

Research limitations/implications

The exemplary calculations were made for 50 different transport tasks to take into account different performance conditions of the aircraft. The presented method can be used at the concept design state for determining the chosen and most important technical parameters of the aircraft.

Practical implications

The work shows a practical possibility to implement the proposed method. The presented method could be helpful at the preliminary design stage of a new aircraft to select its design parameters. The results of the analyses are a separate point for further research and studies.

Originality/value

The work shows a practical possibility to implement the proposed approach for design problems at early stages of product development.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, vol. 86 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 October 2021

Ali Hussain Kazim, Abdullah Hamid Malik, Hammad Ali, Muhammad Usman Raza, Awais Ahmad Khan, Tauseef Aized and Aqsa Shabbir

Winglets play a major role in saving fuel costs because they reduce the lift-induced drag formed at the wingtips. The purpose of this paper is to obtain the best orientation of…

Abstract

Purpose

Winglets play a major role in saving fuel costs because they reduce the lift-induced drag formed at the wingtips. The purpose of this paper is to obtain the best orientation of the winglet for the Office National d’Etudes et de Recherches Aérospatiales (ONERA) M6 wing at Mach number 0.84 in terms of lift to drag ratio.

Design/methodology/approach

A computational fluid dynamics analysis of the wing-winglet configuration based on the ONERA M6 airfoil on drag reduction for different attack angles at Mach 0.84 was performed using analysis of systems Fluent. First, the best values of cant and sweep angles in terms of aerodynamic performance were selected by performing simulations. The analysis included cant angle values of 30°, 40°, 45°, 55°, 60°, 70° and 75°, while for the sweep angles 35°, 45°, 55°, 65° and 75° angles were used. The aerodynamic performance was measured in terms of the obtained lift to drag ratios.

Findings

The results showed that slight alternations in the winglet configuration can improve aerodynamic performance for various attack angles. The best lift to drag ratio for the winglet was achieved at a cant angle of 30° and a sweep angle of 65°, which caused a 5.33% increase in the lift to drag ratio. The toe-out angle winglets as compared to the toe-in angles caused the lift to drag ratio to increase because of more attached flow at its surface. The maximum value of the lift to drag ratio was obtained with a toe-out angle (−5°) at an angle of attack 3° which was 2.53% greater than the zero-toed angle winglet.

Originality/value

This work is relatively unique because the cant, sweep and toe angles were analyzed altogether and led to a significant reduction in drag as compared to wing without winglet. The wing model was compared with the results provided by National Aeronautics and Space Administration so this validated the simulation for different wing-winglet configurations.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 94 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 March 2016

Julian Bijewitz, Arne Seitz, Askin T. Isikveren and Mirko Hornung

Motivated by the potential of gaining noticeable improvements in vehicular efficiency, this paper aims to investigate the benefits attainable from introducing a more synergistic…

Abstract

Purpose

Motivated by the potential of gaining noticeable improvements in vehicular efficiency, this paper aims to investigate the benefits attainable from introducing a more synergistic propulsion/airframe integration. In previous work, the concept of a boundary layer ingesting propulsor encircling the aft section of an axisymmetric fuselage was identified to be particularly promising for the realisation of aircraft wake filling, and hence, a significant reduction of the propulsive power required.

Design/methodology/approach

After reviewing the theoretical principles of the propulsive fuselage concept, a book-keeping and model matching procedure is introduced, which is subsequently used to incorporate the numerically computed aerodynamic characteristics of a propulsive fuselage aircraft configuration into a propulsion system (PPS) sizing and performance model. As part of this, design heuristics for important characteristics intrinsic to propulsive fuselage power plants are derived. Thereafter, parametric study results of the PPS are discussed, and the obtained characteristics are compared to those of a conventionally installed power plant. Finally, the impact of the investigated PPS on the integrated performance of a propulsive fuselage aircraft concept is studied, and the results are compared and contrasted to previously conducted analyses based on semi-empirical characteristics.

Findings

It was found that the aircraft-level benefit originally predicted based on semi-empirical methods could be confirmed using the numerically derived PPS design heuristics, specifically an improvement in vehicular efficiency of 10.4 per cent over an advanced conventional reference aircraft.

Practical implications

The approach presented in the paper may serve as a guideline when incorporating the results of high-fidelity aerodynamic methods into a PPS sizing and performance model suitable for aircraft-integrated assessment of a propulsive fuselage concept. The vehicular efficiency potentials offered through the synergistic PPS integration approach are highlighted.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the characteristics of a boundary layer ingesting fuselage fan (FF) power plant relative to a conventionally installed PPS. In addition, a set of PPS design correlations are presented allowing for the integrated sizing of a FF power plant.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, vol. 88 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 May 2007

J.L. Lin, C.Y. Wei and C.Y. Lin

This study seeks to explore the aerodynamic performance of wings with different shapes at low Reynolds numbers.

1224

Abstract

Purpose

This study seeks to explore the aerodynamic performance of wings with different shapes at low Reynolds numbers.

Design/methodology/approach

The airfoils of these wings are made from aluminum plates, and the maximum cord length and wingspan are 15 cm. Wings A to D are plates with 6 percent Gottingen camber but different wing planforms. The forward‐half sections of wings E and F are dragonfly‐like, whereas the rear‐half sections of wings E and F are flat and positively cambered, respectively. The aspect ratios of these wings are close to one, and the ratios of plate thickness to the maximum cord length are 1.3 percent. Experimental results indicate that the wings with Gottingen camber have a superior lift and lift‐to‐drag ratio, whereas the wings with dragonfly‐like airfoils perform well in terms of drag and pitch moment.

Findings

The aerodynamic measurements of the wings demonstrate that the wing with the Gottingen camber airfoil, a swept‐back leading edge and a straight trailing edge is suitable for use in micro aerial vehicle (MAV). An MAV is fabricated with this wing and the aerodynamic performance of the MAV is examined and compared with the bare wing data.

Originality/value

This study develops several criteria to the design of MAV‐sized wings. For example, the thickness ratio of airfoil must be small, usually less than 2 percent. Besides, the airfoil must be cambered adequately. Furthermore, a wing planform with a swept‐back leading edge and a straight trailing edge would be contributive to the successful flights of MAVs.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 79 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 September 2019

W.G. Zhao and Guipeng Wang

The purpose of this paper is to use the NACA 0015 symmetric hydrofoil as the research subject and control cloud cavitation on hydrofoils.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use the NACA 0015 symmetric hydrofoil as the research subject and control cloud cavitation on hydrofoils.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on observed distribution of caudal fin spines on fish, a bionic structure of fin-like spines is arranged on the hydrofoil suction surface, which maintains the cavitation in a quasi-steady state stage by eliminating the cyclic shedding process of cloud cavitation. Based on the modified shear stress transport k-ω turbulence model and the Zwart–Gerber–Belamri cavitation model, this paper compares and analyzes the NACA 0015 hydrofoil and the bionic NACA 0015 hydrofoil under condition of an angle of attack of 8° and a cavitation number of 0.8.

Findings

The results show that the average drag of the hydrofoil is reduced but the lift is decreased, and the lift-drag ratio is increased after arranging the bionic structure. The bionic structure can effectively reduce the turbulent kinetic energy and make the flow more stable; it also can effectively control the hydrofoil surface side-entrant jet and the vortex shedding process of the near wall region.

Originality/value

Based on the above conclusions, the bionic structure of fin-like spines can achieve a significant passive control in the hydrofoil cloud cavitation process.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 37 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

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