Analysis of Low-Speed Unsteady Airfoil Flows Book

The authors take the view that a full understanding of the physics of lift generation is possible only by considering the unsteady aerodynamics of the starting vortex generation process. This view is also reflected in the methods of computational fluid dynamics when accurate steady-state solutions can be obtained by solving unsteady flow equations. This comprehensive textbook concentrates on unsteady low-speed flows over airfoils while restricting the discussions to two-dimensional incompressible flows. It first describes the physics of unsteady flow mechanisms for the generation of lift and of thrust on flapping wings and then the Navier-Stokes equations and their Reynolds-averaged form. The bulk of the book addresses three methods for the computation of steady and unsteady airfoil flows based on the so-called panel method pioneered by the senior author of this book. Many applications of practical importance in industry are considered, and the computer programs together with the accompanying CD-ROMs are carefully documented.Read More