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Fundamentals of Aerodynamics

John D. Anderson

Chapter 11

Subsonic Compressible Flow over Airfoils: Linear Theory - all with Video Answers

Educators


Chapter Questions

03:19

Problem 1

Consider a subsonic compressible flow in cartesian coordinates where the velocity potential is given by

$$
\phi(x, y)=V_{\infty} x+\frac{70}{\sqrt{1-M_{\infty}^2}} e^{-2 \pi \sqrt{1-M_{\infty}^2 y}} \sin 2 \pi x
$$

If the freestream properties are given by $V_{\infty}=700 \mathrm{ft} / \mathrm{s}, p_{\infty}=1 \mathrm{~atm}$, and $T_{\infty}=519^{\circ} \mathrm{R}$, calculate the following properties at the location $(x, y)=(0.2 \mathrm{ft}, 0.2 \mathrm{ft}): M, p$, and $T$.

Kratika Bhadauria
Kratika Bhadauria
Numerade Educator
01:22

Problem 2

Using the Prandtl-Glauert rule, calculate the lift coefficient for an NACA 2412 airfoil at $5^{\circ}$ angle of attack in a Mach 0.6 freestream. (Refer to Fig. 4.5 for the original airfoil data.)

Nicholas Mogoi
Nicholas Mogoi
Numerade Educator
01:45

Problem 3

Under low-speed incompressible flow conditions, the pressure coefficient at a given point on an airfoil is -0.54 . Calculate $C_p$ at this point when the freestream Mach number is 0.58 , using
(a) The Prandtl-Glauert rule
(b) The Karman-Tsien rule
(c) Laitone's rule

Nick Johnson
Nick Johnson
Numerade Educator
01:45

Problem 4

In low-speed incompressible flow, the peak pressure coefficient (at the minimum pressure point) on an NACA 0012 airfoil is -0.41 . Estimate the critical Mach number for this airfoil, using the Prandtl-Glauert rule.

Nick Johnson
Nick Johnson
Numerade Educator
01:45

Problem 5

For a given airfoil, the critical Mach number is 0.8 . Calculate the value of $p / p_{\infty}$ at the minimum pressure point when $M_{\infty}=0.8$.

Nick Johnson
Nick Johnson
Numerade Educator

Problem 6

Consider an airfoil in a Mach 0.5 freestream. At a given point on the airfoil, the local Mach number is 0.86 . Using the compressible flow tables at the back of this book, calculate the pressure coefficient at that point. Check your answer using the appropriate analytical equation from this chapter. [Note: This problem is analogous to an incompressible problem where the freestream velocity and the velocity at a point are given, and the pressure coefficient is calculated from Eq. (3.38). In an incompressible flow, the pressure coefficient at any point in the flow is a unique function of the local velocity at that point and the freestream velocity. In the present problem, we see that Mach number is the relevant property for a compressible flow-not velocity. The pressure coefficient for an inviscid compressible flow is a unique function of the local Mach number and the freestream Mach number.]

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Problem 7

Figure 11.5 shows four cases for the flow over the same airfoil wherein $\boldsymbol{M}_{\infty}$ is progressively increased from 0.3 to $M_{\mathrm{cr}}=0.61$. Have you wondered where the numbers on Fig. 11.5 came from? Here is your chance to find out. Point $\boldsymbol{A}$ on the airfoil is the point of minimum pressure (hence maximum $M$ ) on the airfoil. Assume that the minimum pressure (maximum Mach number) continues to occur at this same point as $M_{\infty}$ is increased. In part (a) of Fig. 11.5, for $M_{\infty}=0.3$, the local Mach number at point $A$ was arbitrarily chosen as $M_A=0.435$, this arbitrariness is legitimate because we have not specified the airfoil shape, but rather are stating that, whatever the shape is, a maximum Mach number of 0.435 occurs at point $A$ on the airfoil surface. However, once the numbers are given for part $(a)$, then the numbers for parts (b), (c), and (d) are not arbitrary. Rather, $M_A$ is a unique function of $M_{\infty}$ for the remaining pictures. With all this as background information, starting with the data shown in Fig. $11.5(a)$, calculate $M_A$ when $M_{\infty}=0.61$. Obviously, from Fig. $11.5(d)$, your result should turn out to be $M_A=1.0$ because $M_{\infty}=0.61$ is said to be the critical Mach number. Said in another way, you are being asked to prove that the critical Mach number for this airfoil is 0.61 .

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01:43

Problem 8

Consider the flow over a circular cylinder; the incompressible flow over such a cylinder is discussed in Sec. 3.13. Consider also the flow over a sphere; the incompressible flow over a sphere is described in Sec. 6.4. The subsonic compressible flow over both the cylinder and the sphere is qualitatively similar but quantitatively different from their incompressible counterparts. Indeed, because of the "bluntness" of these bodies, their critical Mach numbers are relatively low. In particular:

For a cylinder: $\quad M_{\mathrm{cr}}=0.404$
For a sphere: $\quad M_{\mathrm{cr}}=0.57$
Explain on a physical basis why the sphere has a higher $M_{\mathrm{cr}}$ than the cylinder.

Narayan Hari
Narayan Hari
Numerade Educator