ISSN 2277-2685

IJESR/Nov. 2016/ Vol-6/Issue-11/245-248

N. Maheswaran et. al., / International Journal of Engineering & Science Research

CFD STUDY ON AERODYNAMIC EFFECTS OF DIMPLE ON AIRCRAFT

WINGS
M. Moses Devaprasanna1, N. Maheswaran*2, M. Harish2, Prof. A. Sankaran3
1

Assoc. Prof, Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Hindusthan Institute of Technology, India.

2

Asst. Prof, Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Hindusthan Institute of Technology, India.

Prof. & Head, Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Hindusthan Institute of Technology, India.

ABSTRACT
Airfoil is a shape that enhances the aerodynamics and maneuverability of an aircraft. The objective of this
project is to carryout numerical analysis using CFD to determine the effect of Dimples on Aerodynamics of an
airfoil. The wake region increases the pressure drag at higher angle of attack which is due to flow separation.
Due to this effect the aircraft cannot elevate above an angle (i.e. stall angle). It is proposed to increase the stall
angle by delaying the flow separation using dimples at various locations on the suction surface of the airfoil.
This project also involves in reducing the take-off distance by attaining high CL at higher angle of attacks.

Keywords: Compudational Fluid Dynamics, Dimples, Flow separation, Angle of Attack.

1. INTRODUCTION
An airfoil (in American English) or aerofoil (in British English) is the shape of a wing,
blade (of
a propeller, rotor, or turbine), or sail (as seen in cross-section).An airfoil-shaped body moved through
a fluid produces an aerodynamic force. The component of this force perpendicular to the direction of motion is
called lift. The component parallel to the direction ofmotion is called drag. Subsonic flight airfoils have a
characteristic shape with a rounded leading edge, followed by a sharp trailing edge, often with
a symmetric curvature of upper and lower surfaces. Foils of similar function designed with water as the working
fluid are called hydrofoils.The lift on an airfoil is primarily the result of its angle of attack and shape. When
oriented at a suitable angle, the airfoil deflects the oncoming air(for fixed-wing aircraft, a downward force),
resulting in a force on the airfoil in the direction opposite to the deflection. This force is known as aerodynamic
force and can be resolved into two components: lift and drag. Most foil shapes require a positiveangle of attack
to generate lift, but cambered airfoils can generate lift at zero angle of attack. This "turning" of the air in the
vicinity of the airfoil createscurved streamlines, resulting in lower pressure on one side and higher pressure on
the other. This pressure difference is accompaniedby a velocity difference, via Bernoulli's principle, sothe
resulting flow field about the airfoil has a higher average velocity on the upper surface than on the lower
surface.The lift force can be related directly to the average top/bottom velocity difference without computing the
pressure by using the concept of circulation and the Kutta-Joukowski theorem.A fixed-wing aircraft's
wings, horizontal, and vertical stabilizers are built with airfoil-shaped cross sections, as are helicopter rotor
blades. Airfoils are also found in propellers, fans, compressors and turbines. Sails are also airfoils, and the
underwater surfaces of sailboats, such as the centerboard and keel, are similar in cross-section and operate on
the same principles as airfoils. Swimming and flying creatures and even many plants and sessile organisms
employ airfoils/hydrofoils: common examples being bird wings, the bodies of fish, and the shape of sand
dollars. An airfoil-shaped wing can create down force on an automobile or other motor vehicle,
improving traction.Any object with an angle of attack in a moving fluid, such as a flat plate, a building, or the
deck of a bridge, will generate an aerodynamic force (called lift) perpendicular to the flow. Airfoils are more
efficient lifting shapes, able to generate more lift (up to a point), and to generate lift with less drag.

*Corresponding Author

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N. Maheswaran et. al., / International Journal of Engineering & Science Research

2. NUMERICAL ANALYSIS USING CFD

Computational fluid dynamics, usually abbreviated as CFD, is a branch of fluid mechanics that uses numerical
analysis and algorithms to solve and analyze problems that involve fluid flows. Computers are used to perform
the calculations required to simulate the interaction of liquids and gases with surfaces defined by boundary
conditions. With high-speed supercomputers, better solutions can be achieved. Ongoing research yields software
that improves the accuracy and speed of complex simulation scenarios such as transonic or turbulent flows.
Initial experimental validation of such software is performed using a wind tunnel with the final validation
coming in full-scale testing, e.g. flight tests.
2.1 Methodology
In all the CFD approaches there are few basic procedures that has to followed as mentioned below
1. Pre-Processor

2. Solver

3. Post-Processor

2.2 Visualization of Contour Plots

Velocity Vector plot of B737 airfoil at 15 A

OA

Velocity Contour plot of B737 airfoil at 15 AOA

Cp plot of B737 airfoil at 15 AOA

2.3 Creation of dimples
As Dimple delay boundary layer separation, we analyzed the airfoil by placing dimples at various points. With
reference to the Journal paper, the dimples of two various diameter were placed at three different places and the
analysis were carried out.

Dimensions of Dimples Dimple @ 25%C

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N. Maheswaran et. al., / International Journal of Engineering & Science Research

Dimple @ 50%C

Dimple @ 75%C

3. COMPARISON OF RESULTS
As the stall angle is 15deg AOA, the airfoil with dimples is analyzed for angle of attack 14 & 15 degree, various
shapes and positions were compared and better performance is chosen.

Velocity Contour plot for airfoil at 15deg AOA with 0.1mm diameter dimples placed at 50%C

Velocity Vector plot for airfoil at 15deg AOA with 0.1mm diameter dimples placed at 50%C

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N. Maheswaran et. al., / International Journal of Engineering & Science Research

Cp plot for airfoil at 15deg AOA with 0.1mm diameter dimples placed at 50%C

4. CONCLUSION
The dimples at 25%C is capable of increasing the angle of stall but with less Coefficient of lift.
The dimples at 75%C is capable of increasing Coefficient of lift but angle of stall is unchanged.
The dimples at 50%C is capable of increasing Coefficient of lift as well as angle of stall.
Thus Inward round dimple of diameter 0.1mm at 50%C would give better performance.

REFERENCES
[1] Srivastav D. Flow Control Over Airfoils using Different Shaped Dimles. International Conference on Fluid
Dynamics and Thermodynamics Technologies, Vol. 33, IACSIT Press,Singapore.
[2] Livya E, Anitha G, Valli P. Aerodynamic Analysis of Dimple Effect on Aircraft Wing. International
Journal of Mechanical,Aerospace, Industrial, Mechatronics and Manufacturing Engineering, 2015; 9.
[3] Mahamuni SS. A Review on study of Aerodynamic Characterstics of Dimple Effect on Wing. International
Journal of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, 2015; 2.
[4] Mohanasaravanan P. Flow analysis around the dimple wing on aircraft. International Journal of Engineering
Research online, 2009.
[5] Bhadri R, Tej R, Srinath S. Aerodynamic effect on Dimple on Aircraft Wings. International conference on
advance in Mechanical,Aeronautical and Production Techniques, MAPT 2011.
[6] Prabhakara Rao P, Sampath S. CFD Analysis ON Airfoil at High Angles of Attack. International Journal of
Engineering Research 3; 430-434.

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