Numerical simulation of flow over NACA 0015 airfoil with different turbulence models

Abstract

Airfoils in various types are widely used in many devices subjected to fluid flows such as aircrafts, vehicles, turbines etc. Therefore, analyzing the fluid flow around an airfoil is one of the important subjects in fluid mechanics. In this study, the conservation equations of two dimensional compressible flow over standard airfoils were solved by using different numerical techniques. After a mesh independence study, applied mathematical model, numerical techniques and obtained results are confirmed with experimental results given in literature. Three different turbulence models, namely the k-w spalarat almaras and the reynolds stress models were used in the solutions. The performances of turbulence models were evaluated under the results obtained. The verified numerical model was also applied to the flow over different types of blades, including a special airfoil design. Velocity and pressure fields obtained around these airfoils were analyzed, and their aerodynamic performances in terms of the lift and drag coefficients were compared to each other at different angles of attack.