Parametric model for the reconstruction and representation of hydrofoils and airfoils

Abstract

In this paper, we present a geometric parametric model that has been mainly designed to accommodate the need for an appropriate analysis model in the context of IsoGeometric Analysis (IGA) [1], but can be also employed as a universal tool for reconstructing and representing a wide range of different airfoils' and/or hydrofoils' families. This model is an extension of the parametric model employed in optimization of hydrofoils' efficiency with the aid of an isogeometric boundary element method solver (IGA-BEM), presented in [2]. Apart from its apparent use in design evaluation and optimization, the parametric model can be further employed in a wider range of relevant applications. Specifically, in this work we begin by demonstrating its use, as an alternative approach, in efficiently reconstructing airfoil and hydrofoil shapes from large sets of points appearing, mainly, in the context of reverse engineering applications. This is further investigated and the parametric model's performance in accurately representing existing airfoils is extensively benchmarked against results from pertinent methods and approaches followed in the aeronautics and aerospace research community. Finally, we demonstrate the use of the parametric model in a foil shape optimization problem. We conclude this work with a discussion on future enhancements and possible research directions.