Stochastic Drag Analysis via Polynomial Chaos Uncertainty Quantification

Abstract

In this paper, uncertainty quantification approaches are applied to aerodynamic data analyzed by a far-field drag breakdown approach. By the use of the drag breakdown approach, total drag of an airfoil configuration can be decomposed into three physical and one unphysical drag components, that are wave, viscous, induced and spurious drag components. The drag source distribution can also be visualized on the flowfield by using this approach. An uncertainty quantification problem of 2D airfoil is analyzed with the drag breakdown approach to extract more aerodynamic design information about its uncertainty propagation. Two uncertainty quantification approaches, non-intrusive polynomial chaos approach and inexpensive Monte Carlo simulation approach on a response surface model, are investigated for more advanced uncertainty quantification of an aerodynamic problem.