Effects of Different Thickness of UAV Airfoil on Aerodynamics Performance Using CFD Techniques

摘要

The ideal way to increase the aerodynamic efficiency of UAV flight performance is to select airfoil with the best aerodynamic characteristics. S1223 airfoil has been selected due to its advantages of aerodynamic properties and its performance of low Reynold number applications. The current study focused on the effects of different thicknesses of Selig 1223 airfoil on aerodynamic performances at 0.46 angle of attack for UAV which represents the angle of attack of UAV at the take-off phase. The validation data of the wing model have been carried out with previous wind tunnel experiment data by (Selig & McGranahan, 1995). The variable thickness of the Selig 1223 wing is utilized to mimic a morphed wing phenomenon. There are three different thicknesses utilized which are; 50%,100%, and 150% thickness of the wing. The lift and drag variables are explored for this recreation to understand the effects of the airfoil shape on aerodynamic aspects. Hence, from this study, it is clear that the increment in the thickness provides better aerodynamic performances at 0.46 angle of attack which represents the angle of attack at take-off condition.