Investigation in Thin Airfoil Theory

Investigation in
Thin Airfoil
Theory
Chermaine Sin

Investigation in Thin Airfoil Theory

Table of Contents
1. Introduction..................................................................3
2. Experiment in Wind Tunnel............................................4

2.1 Wing model design and measurements to be take...............4

2.2 Experimental Procedure....................................................6
2.3 Results.............................................................................6

3. Experiment in Application.............................................9

3.1 Experimental
Procedure...9
3.2 Results...........................................................................11

4. Analysis and
Conclusion.1
3
5. References...
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Investigation in Thin Airfoil Theory

1. Introduction
A simplified version of the properties of Thin Airfoil Theory is listed
as follows, based on Abbott, Ira H., and Von Doenhoff, Albert E.
(1959), Theory of Wing Sections, Section 4.3 :
(1) On a symmetric airfoil, the center of pressure and aerodynamic
center lies exactly one quarter of the chord behind the leading edge.
(2) On a cambered airfoil, the aerodynamic center lies exactly one
quarter of the chord behind the leading edge
(3) The slope of the lift coefficient versus angle of attack line 2
units per radian
Based on (3), the section lift coefficient of a infinite cambered airfoil
is:
C L =C L o+2
where is the angle of attack, measure based on the chord line in
radians
C L o is the section lift coefficient when the angle of attack is
zero
However, in the case of finite airfoil that we test it in a wind tunnel,
the lift slope is 2/90.
The aim of this investigation is to use two different methods: design
an experiment in wind tunnel and mobile application to prove slope
of the lift coefficient versus angle of attack is 2 for infinite
wingspan and 2/90 for finite wingspan.

Investigation in Thin Airfoil Theory

2. Experiment in Wind Tunnel

In order to show the above relationship, section lift coefficient 1 is
being used as it is specifically used in calculating two-dimensional
flow around an airfoil. The equation is listed as follow:
l
C L=
1
v2 c
2

()

where

l is the lift force per unit span of the wing ,

is the fluid density,
c is the chord of the airfoil,
v is the true airspeed

2.1 Wing model design and measurements to be take

A NACA 2311 airfoil will be used in this experiment. NACA 2311
airfoil is a cambered airfoil.

Fig 1 NACA 2311 Airfoil

According to UIUC Airfoil Coordinates Database, an airfoil of NACA

2311 describes an airfoil with a maximum camber of 0.02 chord
located at 0.30 chord, with 0.11 chord of maximum thickness.
For our experiment, the specification of the wing is as follows:
Chord: 21.2 cm=212mm
Camber: 0.5 cm = 5mm
Location of maximum camber: 6.5 cm=65 mm
Maximum thickness: 2.5 cm=25mm
Wing span: 22.6cm = 226 mm
Fig 2 Airfoil model
On top of designing testing model, we need to take the
measurements as below:
1. Abbott, Ira H., and Von Doenhoff, Albert E. (1943) Theory of Wing
Sections. Appendix IV. Dover Publications.
2. Aerospace Engineering, The University of Sydney. (2013) NACA Airfoil
Generator. [online] http://www.aeromech.usyd.edu.au/cgi-bin/nacafull?
family=4-digit&sect=2311&num=121&load=&name=Create [Accessed
14th September, 2014]

Investigation in Thin Airfoil Theory

For fluid density, we will make an assumption that the fluid density
is normal air density, which is around 1.225 kg/m3. Also, an
anemometer is being put into the wind tunnel to measure the true
airspeed. Last but not least, we need to use a protractor to measure
the angle of attack.

Fig 3 Anenometer

2.2 Experimental Procedure

1. Input two wooden rods at the edge of the wing for alternating the
angle of attack.
2. Insert the rods into a base to maintain its position.

Investigation in Thin Airfoil Theory

3. Put the model on a top hand balance.

Fig 4 and 5 Model in the wind tunnel

4. Record the weight shown on the balance before turning on the fan
of wind tunnel.
5. Observe the change of weight shown on the balance and mark
down the new measurement of mass.
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Investigation in Thin Airfoil Theory

6. Record the wind speed shown on anemometer.
7. Alternate the geometric angle of attack from 0 degree to 15
degrees, where we will take measurement from every 3 degrees.
8. Repeat step 5 until we finish the measurement at a geometric
angle of attack at 15 degrees.

2.3 Results
Given that the weight of the wing is 189.43 N
and the actual wind speed is 15.0 km/h = 4.2 m/s

Angle of
attack
(degrees)
0.00
3.00
6.00
9.00
12.00
15.00

New weight of
the wing (N)

Change of
weight (N)

180.52
181.12
182.60
175.40
170.31
167.52

6.83
8.31
9.31
14.03
19.12
21.91

Lift per unit

span
(N/mm)
30.22
36.77
41.19
62.08
84.60
96.95

Coefficien
t of lift
0.013
0.016
0.018
0.027
0.040
0.042

Coefficient of lift versus Angle of attack

Coefficient of lift

0.05
0.04
0.04
0.03
0.03
0.02
0.02
0.01
0.01
0

Coefficient of lift
Linear (Coefficient of lift)

0 2 4 6 8 10121416
Angle of attack (degrees)

Fig 6 Table and graph

From Thin Airfoil Theory, we can get the equation below:

Investigation in Thin Airfoil Theory

90
As we substitute the results we get above, we will get:
C L =C L o+

(15
)
90
180
2

0.029=
(15
)
90
180

0.042=0.013+

Comparing this equation with y=mx+c, we will get m, the gradient

as follows:
0.029

m=
(15
)
180
By calculation, we will get m=0.1107 (corrected to 4 decimal
places). However, Thin Airfoil Theory suggested that the slope is
2/90, which is 0.1097(corrected to 4 decimal places). There is
experimental error in between these results, which have a level of
significance in affecting the accuracy of the experiment:
cor
0.11070.1097
100 =1.01 (3 sig fig)
0.1097

Investigation in Thin Airfoil Theory

3. Experiment in Application
We have installed an application from App Store, which gives
data generated by a computer. The application named as Airfoil
Expert: Panel Method 3 :-

Fig 7 Image from the application

3.1 Experimental procedure

The application also features different settings for a better
simulation in this experiment, like the length of airfoil chord, air
density etc. which is mentioned as above.

Investigation in Thin Airfoil Theory

Fig 8 Settings section in the application

3. Airfoil Expert: Panel Method can be downloaded from App Store:
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/airfoil-expert-panel-method/id828897232?mt=8

After setting the similar condition to wind tunnel, we need to

choose the correct airfoil which is the same one that we
choose to test in the wind tunnel, NACA 2311.
Fig 9 Airfoil Selector section

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Investigation in Thin Airfoil Theory

3.2 Results
Next , we can select results and the application will calculate the
related coefficient of lift based on the selection of angle of attack.
The graph below shows coefficient of lift over angle of attack.

Fig 10 Results Section

The results are as follows:
Angle of attack (degrees)
0.000
3.000
6.000
9.000
12.000
15.000

Section coefficient of lift

0.242
0.597
0.950
1.299
1.643
1.981

From Thin Airfoil Theory, we can get the equation below:

C L =C L o+2
As we substitute the results we get above, we will get:

)
180

)
1.739= 2 (15
180

1.981=0.242+2 (15

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Investigation in Thin Airfoil Theory

Comparing this equation with y=mx+c, we will get m, the gradient

as follows:
m=

1.739

(15
)
180

By calculation, we will get m=6.6425 (corrected to 4 decimal

places). However, Thin Airfoil Theory suggested that the slope is
2 , which is 6.2832(corrected to 4 decimal places). There is
experimental error in between these results, which have a level of
significance in affecting the accuracy of the experiment:
cor
6.64256.2832
100 =5.72 (3 sig fig)
6.2832

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Investigation in Thin Airfoil Theory

4. Analysis and Conclusion

The major difference between the experiment of wind tunnel and
application is that one is a finite airfoil and another one is infinite
airfoil. The reason behind the difference is that the wingspan is
involved in the calculation of the section coefficient of lift in wind
tunnel. However, the application does not account the wingspan to
calculate the coefficient of lift. As a result, this gives a different
number of slope.
On top of that, the experimental errors in these two experiments
are small, which proved that the results have a good level of
accuracy. However, from the graph of experiment in wind tunnel,
the points are not in a linear straight line. In order to improve the
accuracy, it will be better to take more measurement and using
better measurement tools (ie tools with lower uncertainty) to reduce
the experimental error. On top of that, we should increase the
wingspan to give a larger amount of lift per unit span for easier
calculation and data representation.

5. References
1. Abbott, Ira H., and Von Doenhoff, Albert E. (1959) Theory of Wing
Sections, Section 4.3. Dover Publications.
2. Aerospace Engineering, The University of Sydney. (2013) NACA
Airfoil Generator. [online] http://www.aeromech.usyd.edu.au/cgibin/nacafull?family=4digit&sect=2311&num=121&load=&name=Create [Accessed 14th
September, 2014]
3. Airfoil Expert: Panel Method can be downloaded from App Store:
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/airfoil-expert-panelmethod/id828897232?mt=8

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