Investigation of Propeller Performance Using QBlade: A Benchmark Study
2nd International Conference on Aeronautical Sciences, Engineering and Technology, ICASET 2025, Muscat, Oman, 4 - 06 November 2025, pp.157-166, (Full Text)
- Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
- Doi Number: 10.1007/978-981-95-5907-7_14
- City: Muscat
- Country: Oman
- Page Numbers: pp.157-166
- Keywords: Blade element momentum, CFD, Propeller analysis, QBlade
- Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
This study investigates the aerodynamic performance of fixed-pitch propellers using QBlade, an open-source simulation tool based on Blade Element Momentum (BEM) theory. Four commercial APC propellers—6 × 4, 6 × 5, 8 × 4, and 8 × 5—are analyzed across a range of advance ratios. The study aims to evaluate QBlade’s effectiveness in estimating performance parameters such as thrust coefficient, power coefficient, and propeller efficiency. Experimental data from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) propeller database are used for validation. Results show that QBlade can effectively predict performance trends, with reasonable agreement observed between numerical and experimental values. The effect of propeller diameter and pitch on aerodynamic performance is discussed thoroughly.