A Computational Analysis of the Aerodynamic Behaviors of the Low-Speed Conventional Airfoils

Authors

1 Aerospace Department, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

10.22044/jsfm.2025.16052.3958

Abstract

This paper investigates the aerodynamic characteristics of NACA airfoils 0012, 0015, and 4415 in the low Reynolds number range of 500 to 2000. Simulations have been performed using a high-resolution two-dimensional incompressible flow code, using the immersed boundary method with a sharp interface and the unsteady Navier-Stokes equations. The goal of this study is to provide a database of variations in force coefficients, center of pressure, and Strouhal numbers as functions of Reynolds number, angle of attack (5 to 40 degrees), and airfoil shape. The results reveal that low Reynolds number flows exhibit significant complexity due to phenomena such as Karman vortex shedding and leading-edge vortex (LEV) formation and shedding. These behaviors result in significant fluctuations in aerodynamic coefficients, especially near stall, thus the simulation shoud be performed with adequate temporal accuracy. The effect of airfoil shape is primarily observed in the lift-to-drag ratio and center of pressure, with the NACA 4415 airfoil demonstrating the highest aerodynamic performance. Comparison of simulation results with available experimental data at both low and high Reynolds numbers confirms the validity of the employed numerical model. This database serves as a reference for designing small aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and bio-inspired flight systems. Additionally, the obtained data can aid in improving and validating computational models.

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References

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Journal of Solid and Fluid Mechanics
Volume 15, Issue 3
July and August 2025
Pages 215-221

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