Aerodynamic performance optimisation of an aerofoil with combined leading-edge and trailing-edge morphing transformations

Abbadi, Muram; Lo, Sing; Yao, Yufeng; Daniel, Doni

Abstract

The long-term strategy for aviation sustainability poses the need for more efficient aerodynamic designs. Many researchers have investigated innovative solutions offered by biologically inspired morphing wing concepts, with the leading- or trailing-edge camber deformation being studied separately. However, the effects of simultaneous leading- and trailing-edge camber deformation, starting at different chordwise locations, have remained uncertain. This combination should still be accounted for when evaluating the optimal aerodynamic performance. Therefore, this research aims to establish the prime morphing wing geometries that can lead to substantial aerodynamic performance improvements for fixed-wing aircraft applications during the take-off and landing stages. For this study, XFOIL software is extensively employed to conduct parametric studies of 144 morphing combination geometries from the baseline NACA0012 aerofoil. The aerodynamic improvements of morphing wings are determined by comparing their performance with traditional slat and hinged flap wing configurations. The optimal morphing transformations are validated with high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics using ANSYS Fluent software. The analysis indicates it is possible to achieve a maximum aerodynamic efficiency with a 15% reduction in drag and a 12% increase in lift on average based on the optimised configurations. The performance enhancements can significantly reduce fuel consumption and allow aircraft take-off and landing at shorter distances. This study will ultimately facilitate the reduction of carbon emissions and can, therefore, offer a more commercially viable alternative to traditional wing configurations.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: AIAA Aviation Forum
• Start Date: Jul 29, 2024
• End Date: Aug 2, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jul 27, 2024
• Publication Date: Jul 29, 2024
• Deposit Date: Nov 27, 2024
• Journal: AIAA AVIATION FORUM AND ASCEND 2024
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Book Title: AIAA Aviation Forum and ASCEND co-located Conference Proceedings
• ISBN: 9781624107160
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2024-4435
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13283352