Aircraft design and optimisation techniques

AE& AM, 7th semester

Assignment 1

1. Using the experimental data of the airfoil, the following graphs were
obtained:
 The linear range in Cl vs alpha plot extends from (α, Cl) = (-6.403, 0.08103)
to (5.112, 1.293)
𝑑Cl (1.293−0.08103)
2. Lift slope in linear range: = = 0.1053/degree
𝑑𝛼 (5.112−(−6.403))
 From graph, Clmax = 1.682 and Clmin = -0.1753
3. Cp distribution for alpha=4.95 degree is shown below:

Calculating the area bounded by the upper and lower surfaces, we can
1 𝑥
find the lift acting on the airfoil. Thus from Cl=∫0 (𝐶𝑝,𝑙 − 𝐶𝑝,𝑢 )𝑑( ) we
𝑐
find load distribution on the airfoil. At point of separation skin friction
Cfx = 0. So from Cp vs x/c graph point of separation cannot be accurately
estimated. However we find Cp = 0 at x/c ≈ 0.98.

4. To estimate the location of aerodynamic centre:

Let aerodynamic centre be at distance Xac from leading edge of airfoil of
chord c.
Equating moments about quarter chord point we get: Mac = L*(Xac – c/4)
+ Mc/4.
where Mac is moment about aerodynamic centre, L is lift on airfoil and
𝑋𝑎𝑐
Mc/4 is moment about quarter chord point. So, Cm, ac = Cl*( – 0.25) +
𝑐
𝑑𝐶𝑚,𝑎𝑐
Cm(c/4). Differentiating with respect to α and noting = 0, we have
𝑑α
𝑋𝑎𝑐 𝐶𝑚α(c/4 )
= 0.25 - .
𝑐 𝐶𝑙α
 Aerodynamic centre is plotted with changing angle of attack:

From figure it can be seen that aerodynamic centre is approximately

constant and equal to 0.25c within angle of attack of -5 to 14 degrees.
Beyond that range flow separation occurs and aerodynamic centre
changes position.
5. Centre of Pressure: - It is the point about which the net moment is zero.
At this point all aerodynamic forces like lift, drag act. We calculate Xcp as:
𝑋𝑐𝑝 𝑋𝑐𝑝 𝑋𝑐𝑝
Cm,cp = Cm,(c/4) + Cl( – 0.25) => 0 = Cm,(c/4) + Cl( – 0.25) => = 0.25 -
𝑐 𝑐 𝑐
𝐶 𝑐
𝑚( )
4
. Centre of pressure is plotted with different angles of attack:
𝐶𝑙