Problem 2 : Tandem Airfoil Problem

Given: A tandem airfoil (drawn below), in which the angle of attack is 5 degrees. Each airfoil is
modeled by 1 panel.

Find: Using the 6-step procedure decribed in class...

(1) Draw the system and place the vortices and control points
(2) Perform step 3 of the procedure
(3) Perform step 4 of the procedure
(4) Perform step 5 of the procedure
(5a) Calculate the lift per unit span for the first airfoil
(5b) Calculate the lift per unit span for the second airfoil
(5c) Calculate the lift per unit span for the system
(5d) Calculate the sum of a + b, and compare with c
Assumptions: Steady, Incompressible, Negligable Body Effects, and Irrotational
Small angle assumption for calculating distantaces between points (ie: the distance between γ1 and
Cp2 is (10/4)*c
Solution:
----------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------

See solution at
http://www.phaux.org/School_Documents/Principles_Of_Aerodynamics/Official_Solutions/

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------

First, consider the Cp1

−γ1 γ2
Vcp1n = + + Vinf ⋅ sin( α)
2 ⋅ π⋅  ⋅ c
c 6
2 ⋅ π⋅
2 4 

In the same fashion, we'll express the normal velocity at Cp2

−γ2 γ1
Vcp2n = − + Vinf ⋅ sin( α)
2 ⋅ π⋅   2 ⋅ π⋅  ⋅ c
c 10
2 4 
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Setting both expressions to zero, combine both equations to solve simultaneously.

−γ1 γ2
0= + + Vinf ⋅ sin( α)
2 ⋅ π⋅  ⋅ c
c 6
2 ⋅ π⋅
2 4 
Solve for γ1 in the first equation yields..

 γ2 
γ1 =  + π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ sin( α) 
 3 
Substituting this into the velocity equation at Cp2 (as well as setting that equation to zero) yields..

 γ2 
−γ2  + π ⋅ V inf ⋅ c ⋅ sin( α) 
0= −
 3  + V ⋅ sin( α)
inf
2 ⋅ π⋅   2 ⋅ π⋅  ⋅ c
c 10
2 4 
Solving for γ2 using the MathCAD solve function..

3 ⋅ π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ sin( α)
γ2 =
4

 3⋅ π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ sin( α) 
 
4
γ1 =  + π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ sin( α) 
 3 

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Per step 5, we will define the circulation as the sum of the γ terms.

 3⋅ π⋅ V inf ⋅ c⋅ sin( α) 
  3⋅ π⋅ V ⋅ c⋅ sin( α)
4 inf
Γ = γ1 + γ2 =  + π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ sin( α)  +
 3  4

Doing a little bit of cleanup, step 5 comples with the circulation for the system, which can be expressed as..

 3⋅ π⋅ V inf ⋅ c⋅ sin( α) 
  3⋅ π⋅ V ⋅ c⋅ sin( α)
4 inf
 + π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ sin( α)  + simplify → 2 ⋅ π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ sin( α)
 3  4

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 5a -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, to study the lift per unit span for the first airfoil, we'll backtrack to the normal component at Cp1.

−γ1 γ2
Vcp1n = + + Vinf ⋅ sin( α)
2 ⋅ π⋅  ⋅ c
c 6
2 ⋅ π⋅
2 4 
Since we're neglecting the effects of the second air foil, we'll neglect the second term. At the same time, we'll set the
equation to zero and solve for γ1.
 −γ1
0= + Vinf ⋅ sin( α) solve , γ1 → π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ sin( α)
c
2 ⋅ π⋅
2

The circulation is equal to the sum of the γ, which in this case is the only γ we have...
Γa = π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ sin( α)

The lift per unit span can be found using equation 3.140.
Lp = ρinf ⋅ Vinf ⋅ Γ

For the first foil, the result is..

2
( )
Lpa = ρinf ⋅ V.inf ⋅ π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ sin( α) = π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ ρinf ⋅ sin( α)

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 5b -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Since the second foil is geometrically the same as the first foil, as well as exhibit full flow similarity, the lift per unit span
for the second foil will be equal to that of the first foil.
2
( )
Lpb = ρinf ⋅ V.inf ⋅ π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ sin( α) = π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ ρinf ⋅ sin( α)

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 5c -------------------------------------------------------------------------

For the entire system, we'll use the result we gathered earlier when we performed steps 3, 4, and 5 for the whole
system...

Recall we found the circulation to be..

Γsys = 2 ⋅ π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ sin( α)

The lift per unit span, therefore, is..

2
( )
Lpsys = ρinf ⋅ Vinf ⋅ 2 ⋅ π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ sin( α) simplify → Lpsys = 2 ⋅ π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ ρinf ⋅ sin( α)

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 5d -------------------------------------------------------------------------

If we add the lift per unit span for the first foil, as well as the lift per unit span for the second foil, we find it does indeed
equal the lift per unit span for the entire system.

2 2 2
π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ ρinf ⋅ sin( α) + π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ ρinf ⋅ sin( α) simplify → 2 ⋅ π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ ρinf ⋅ sin( α)

Lpa + Lpb = Lpsys

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 6a -------------------------------------------------------------------------

 The coefficient of lift can be expressed as..

Γ
cl =
1 2
ρ ⋅V ⋅c
2 inf inf

Revisiting part 5a, recall the circulation was..

Γa = π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ sin( α)

Plugging the circulation into the lift coefficient equation, as well as simplify a little, the result is..

π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ sin( α) 2 ⋅ π⋅ sin( α)

cla = simplify → cla =
1 2 Vinf ⋅ ρinf
ρ ⋅V ⋅c
2 inf inf

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 6b -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Using the same technique in part 6a, as well as remembering the circulation for foil A and B independantly is the
same, the lift coefficient for the second foil is again equal to that of the first foil.

π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ sin( α) 2 ⋅ π⋅ sin( α)

clb = simplify → clb =
1 2 Vinf ⋅ ρinf
ρ ⋅V ⋅c
2 inf inf

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 6c -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now we'll find the lift coefficient for the entire system. Again we'll use our previous results. The circulation for the
system was determined in part 4.

Γsys = 2 ⋅ π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ sin( α)

Entering this circulation into the coefficient of lift equation, the result is..

2π⋅ Vinf ⋅ c⋅ sin( α) 2 ⋅ π⋅ sin( α)

clsys = simplify → clsys =
1 2 Vinf ⋅ ρinf
ρinf ⋅ Vinf ⋅ ( 2c)
2

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Part 6d -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Again, we'll add parts a with b and compare to c.

= 2 ⋅ 
2 ⋅ π⋅ sin( α) 2 ⋅ π⋅ sin( α) 2 ⋅ π⋅ sin( α) 
+
Vinf ⋅ ρinf 
Vinf ⋅ Vinf
 Vinf ⋅ ρinf 

So (assuming no errors were made.. which is entirely possible), the lift coefficients do not exhibit superposition ( a + b
does not equal c)
References:
Anderson, John D. Jr. Fundamentals of Aerodynamics. 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007.