SuperElliptical wing platforms for induced drag reduction

Raymer D., KURTULUŞ D. F., ANILIR B., Lapouille A., Passe M., Strat L. L., ...Daha Fazla

Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics, cilt.25, sa.4, ss.242-251, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 25 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1504/pcfd.2025.147800
  • Dergi Adı: Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aerospace Database, CAB Abstracts, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, INSPEC, Metadex, zbMATH, DIALNET, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.242-251
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: computational fluid dynamics, elliptical wing, Oswald’s efficiency factor
  • Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

A parametric CFD investigation into SuperElliptical Wing Planforms is presented. By defining a wing planform using a superellipse with exponent slightly greater than two, it was speculated that a more-elliptical lift distribution may be obtained that from an actual elliptical wing, resulting in a reduction in induced drag. CFD analysis by three organisations seems to confirm this speculation and points to a superellipse exponent of 2.3 as offering the lowest drag. The slight weight increase for this superelliptical planform wing is approximated using standard quasi-empirical equations. Comments are made about accuracy of results and a comparison to a previous wing optimisation study. The use of superellipse mathematics to define smooth crescent wings is also presented.