Computational investigation of low-Reynolds-number unsteady flows past NACA 0012

Güney M., ANILIR B., KURTULUŞ D. F.

Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics, cilt.26, sa.1, ss.32-47, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 26 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1504/pcfd.2026.151116
  • Dergi Adı: Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, INSPEC, MathSciNet, zbMATH
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.32-47
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: computational fluid dynamics, low Reynolds number, NACA 0012, unsteady aerodynamics
  • Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The aerodynamic characteristics of airfoils are significantly governed by the Reynolds number, particularly in the low Reynolds number regime (Re < 1 × 105), where viscous forces predominate over inertial forces, promoting early boundary layer separation and transition to turbulence. This study conducts two-dimensional unsteady numerical simulations on a NACA 0012 airfoil across Reynolds numbers ranging from 4 × 104 to 1 × 105, with the angle of attack varied incrementally from 0° to 20°. The results reveal that lower Reynolds numbers and higher angles of attack induce premature flow separation, leading to a diminished lift coefficient and an increased drag coefficient due to the altered separation point dynamics.