Aerodynamics simulation software for airfoil and wing

 

3DFoil results compares well with experiments from 

N.A.C.A Report No. 647, 1938, Figure.[1].

We used 3DFoil to perform aerodynamic simulations for a rectangular wing based on a NACA 0012 airfoil. Results were compared with a NACA experiment performed in 1938, Ref. [1]. NACA tested a full sized wing with a span dimension of 36 feet and chord of 6 feet. The tests were performed in a full scale wind tunnel. We compared the results of 3DFoil, our vortex lattice package, against the experiments conducted on the NACA 0012 version of the wing. The results show excellent agreement between 3DFoil and the experiments for the lift and drag coefficients.

Figure [1]. NACA Report No. 647, 1938.

Figure [2]. Lift vs. angle of attack (degrees). 3DFoil (blue); Experiment (orange)

Figure [3]. Drag vs. angle of attack (degrees). 3DFoil (blue); Experiment (grey)

References:

Goett, H. J., & Bullivant, W. K. (1938). Tests of NACA 0009, 0012, and 0018 airfoils in the full-scale tunnel. Washington, DC, USA: US Government Printing Office.

About 3DFoil:

3DFoil empowers engineers, designers and students alike to design and analyze 3D wings, hydrofoils, and more. The software seamlessly blends speed and accuracy, using a vortex lattice method and boundary layer solver to calculate lift, drag, moments, and even stability. Its user-friendly interface allows for flexible design with taper, twist, and sweep, making it ideal for creating winglets, kite hydrofoils, and various other aerodynamic surfaces. Notably, 3DFoil surpasses traditional 2D analysis by considering finite wing span for more realistic performance predictions, helping users optimize their designs with confidence.

See also: https://www.hanleyinnovations.com/3dwingaerodynamics.html

Visit 👉 Hanley Innovations for more information

Aerodynamic simulation of your OpenVSP Design

Start the design process now with Stallion 3D.  It is a complete computational fluid dynamics, CFD, tool based on RANS that quickly and accurately simulate complex designs.  Simply enter your CAD, in the STL format form OpenVSP or other tools, to discover the full potential of your design.

Learn more 👉 https://www.hanleyinnovations.com/stallion3d.html 

Stallion 3D is a tool designed for you, the designer, to successfully fly your designs on schedule:

1. Compute  lift, drag, CL and CD with Stallion 3D to discover the cruise, stall and speed for maximum endurance and the power required to operate your aircraft.
2. Discover the range and loiter potential of your designs by computing the maximum CL/CD and CL^(3/2)/CD.
3. Start now with a 3-months lease  by visiting the  Stallion 3D  page. 

Stallion 3D empowers you to take your designs to the next level.  The picture above shows the aerodynamics of an amphibious Lockheed C-130 concept.  A Windows 11 laptop was used for the complete calculation.  Stallion 3D is ideal for down selecting conceptual designs so you can move to the next step with an optimized aircraft.

Do not hesitate to contact us at hanley@hanleyinnovations.com if you have any questions.  Thanks 😀

VisualFoil Plus for Subsonic, Transonic and Supersonic Airfoil Simulation

VisualFoil Plus is a version of VisualFoil that has a built-in compressible flow solver for transonic and supersonic airfoil analysis.  As VisualFoil Plus is currently not in active development, the perpetual license is only $189.

Learn more 👉 https://www.hanleyinnovations.com/air_16.html

VisualFoil Plus has the following features:

1. An extensive airfoil library for simulation, comparing, graphing and printing.
2. An intuitive user interface where you can export airfoil ordinates, and performance results
3. Compare the aerodynamic performance of multiple airfoil on a single graph
4. Work and learn within an intuitive graphical user interface.

The picture above, shows referrals the solution of the NACA 0012 airfoil at a Mach number of 0.825.
Please visit us at https://www.hanleyinnovations.com/air_16.html for more information.

What's the Best CFD or Aerodynamics Software for Beginners

Qualities of a Good CFD and Aerodynamics Software for Beginners

When choosing a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) software for beginners, it's essential to consider factors that balance ease of use with computational power. Here are some key qualities to look for:

1. User-Friendly Interface:

• Intuitive GUI: A simple and intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) makes it easier to learn and use the software.
• Clear Documentation: Comprehensive documentation and tutorials can help beginners understand the software's features and functionalities.

2. Robust Solver:

• Accuracy: The solver should provide accurate solutions to a wide range of fluid flow problems.
• Stability: The solver should be stable and reliable, even for complex simulations.

3. Meshing Capabilities:

• Automatic Meshing: The software should offer automatic meshing tools to simplify the process of creating high-quality meshes.
• Mesh Refinement: The ability to refine the mesh in specific regions can improve solution accuracy.

4. Visualization Tools:

• Clear Visualization: The software should provide clear and customizable visualization tools to help users understand the results of their simulations.
• Post-Processing Features: Built-in features for compute lift, drag and moments that are essential for designing a stable and efficient aircraft .

5. Support:

• Technical Support: Reliable technical support from the software vendor can be helpful for troubleshooting and getting answers to questions.  For example, Hanley Innovations provide free technical support for our aerodynamics and computational fluid dynamics software.

6. Learning Resources:

• Tutorials and Examples: The software should come with tutorials and examples to help beginners get started and learn best practices.  These include tutorials and YouTube videos to clearly convey the concepts.

7. Scalability:

• Hardware Compatibility: The software should be compatible with various hardware configurations, allowing users to scale up their simulations as needed.  Most beginners have Windows laptops and desktops.  Stallion 3D and other aerodynamics software run natively on Windows 7, 10 and 11.

8. Cost-Effective:

• Licensing Options: Consider the licensing options and pricing to ensure the software fits your budget.

Popular Aerodynamics software Software Options for Beginners offered by Hanley Innovations are:

• VisualFoil 5.0: An easy-to-use software package with built-in UIUC airfoil database, plotting tools and and graphs.
• MultiSurface Aerodynamics and 3DFoil:  Easy to use software based on the vortex lattice method for simulating wing and other lifting surfaces.
• Stallion 3D:  A 3D aerodynamics software based on CFD RANS approach with strong meshing and visualization tools.

By considering these factors, you can start to work on your aerodynamics and make significant progress in a short period of time.