Numerical simulation of an airfoil at low Reynolds number

Abstract

Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) are noted for their small size and low-Reynolds number flight regime. The aerodynamic behavior for this class of aircraft is mostly governed by unsteadiness and a laminar separation bubble. To this end, numerical simulations are performed for the Eppler 387 airfoil at a variety of angles of attack. The simulations are quasi-two dimensional in nature; that is, they are perfomed with a three-dimensional code in a manner that produces two-dimensional results. Drag polar, time averaged lift histories, pressure distribution, are skin friction distribution on the airfoil are examined. These simulations are a stepping stone to analysis of the three-dimensional eects in this flow.