Development of a Panel Method for Multi-Body, Two-Dimensional, Transient, Incompressible and Inviscid Flows

04/04/2025

This work consisted of the development and implementation of a two dimensional, transient, panel method, for the analysis of multiple airfoil and cascade configurations. It is based on an existing steady-state code for singular airfoils, implemented in FORTRAN 77, using a 1st-order method with constant source and vortex intensities and straight panels. After adapting the code to the more recent FORTRAN 2018 version, the focus of the work was the implementation of multiple airfoils and the potential velocity, whose corresponding derivative is essential to the transient motion. A description of the method and methodology used is provided. A verification of the code was performed, with steady-state, transient, tandem and cascade configurations, to quantify the numerical error and its associated uncertainty. The examples were compared with experimental and CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) results available in the literature. It was found that the developed code reproduces experimental and CFD results with an error of about 5% for appropriate cases of isolated airfoils. For tandem and cascade airfoils, the error increases due to the influence of the viscous wake in the problem. Given the absence of a boundary layer model, there is difficulty in predicting the drag and thrust forces. It was concluded that the model is reliable for transient analysis of isolated airfoils, where lift is the main concern, such as aeroelasticity cases. Adjustments to the model, namely the introduction of viscosity in the wake and boundary layer, are essential for the study of cases of application such as propulsion.

Authors in the community:

• 

  D

  Duarte Miguel Mestre de Brito

  ist196373

Supervisors of this institution:

• 

  J

  João Manuel Ribeiro Costa Baltazar

  ist62135

• 

  L

  Luís Rego da Cunha de Eça

  ist12278

mechanical-engineering - Mechanical engineering

eng - English

Instituto Superior Técnico