Synthesis and analysis of flow about airfoils with interactive graphics

Abstract

This paper describes the development of an interactive computer graphics technique for visualization and analysis of flow about Joukowski airfoils. The method employs conformal mapping techniques for establishing the flow about a lifting-airfoil profile, determining velocity distribution on the profile contour and pressure distribution around the profile, and evaluating profile geometric and aerodynamic characteristics. These have been implemented in a stand-alone computer featuring graphics, an interactive operation and a menu-driven environment with graphical facilities, to be exploited as an aid for simulating flow fields about airfoils. These features with the variety of flows that can be studied point out the method versatility and broader usefulness over other flow visualization techniques.