effective size of flow boundary for aerofoil analysis

nangless · January 9, 2010, 15:20

hey does anyone know what the recommended size of a flow boundary is for aerofoil analysis - I heard it was something like 5 times the size of the length of the aerofoil-any ideas (preferably with a reference)

triple_r · January 14, 2010, 17:35

Hi,

I've seen it being taken as small as two times (for a hydrofoil, Re~10^7) up to ~10 times (for an external flow around a car, Re~10^8). I don't remember the references right now, but if it is very important I can dig them up.

In my opinion, you should take the extension as much as you can, and the node capacity allows you to. Software usually takes the first or second derivative of the velocity as zero on the downstream boundaries, so the farther the better. Also as you don't, usually, need a lot of resolution very far from the object, you can use larger elements and make the additional computational load as small as possible.

I hope this helps.

cpinz · January 16, 2010, 14:56

Nangless

to have good convergence try to work ,at least, with these dimensions:

- 20c downstream (c is the chord of the airfoil)
- 10 c upstream
- 5c upper and lower

Coarse mesh near the exterior boundaries
Fine mesh around airfoil and some chords downstream for the wake

For references have a look to Aiaa, Agard, Sae papers/documents

I hope this helps
Cpinz

ghorrocks · January 16, 2010, 17:12

The size will depend on what you are trying to do. The further out you go the more accurate it will be. So a simulation where 10% error is acceptable will be much smaller than one where 0.1% error is required.

I know people don't like my answers on questions like this because I ask them to establish for themselves, but it is the only way to be sure. You have to do a sensitivity check of the parameter.

January 9, 2010, 15:20	effective size of flow boundary for aerofoil analysis	#1
nangless New Member sarah Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 17	hey does anyone know what the recommended size of a flow boundary is for aerofoil analysis - I heard it was something like 5 times the size of the length of the aerofoil-any ideas (preferably with a reference)

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January 14, 2010, 17:35		#2
triple_r Senior Member Reza Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Appleton, WI Posts: 116 Rep Power: 17	Hi, I've seen it being taken as small as two times (for a hydrofoil, Re~10^7) up to ~10 times (for an external flow around a car, Re~10^8). I don't remember the references right now, but if it is very important I can dig them up. In my opinion, you should take the extension as much as you can, and the node capacity allows you to. Software usually takes the first or second derivative of the velocity as zero on the downstream boundaries, so the farther the better. Also as you don't, usually, need a lot of resolution very far from the object, you can use larger elements and make the additional computational load as small as possible. I hope this helps.

January 16, 2010, 14:56		#3
cpinz New Member Corrado Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 15 Rep Power: 17	Nangless to have good convergence try to work ,at least, with these dimensions: - 20c downstream (c is the chord of the airfoil) - 10 c upstream - 5c upper and lower Coarse mesh near the exterior boundaries Fine mesh around airfoil and some chords downstream for the wake For references have a look to Aiaa, Agard, Sae papers/documents I hope this helps Cpinz

January 16, 2010, 17:12		#4
ghorrocks Super Moderator Glenn Horrocks Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,872 Rep Power: 144	The size will depend on what you are trying to do. The further out you go the more accurate it will be. So a simulation where 10% error is acceptable will be much smaller than one where 0.1% error is required. I know people don't like my answers on questions like this because I ask them to establish for themselves, but it is the only way to be sure. You have to do a sensitivity check of the parameter.