SuperElliptical wing platforms for induced drag reduction
Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics, cilt.25, sa.4, ss.242-251, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- 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.