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Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.
3b
Flow Around an Inclined NACA 0012

A ir f o i l
Introduction
This model simulates the flow around an inclined NACA 0012 airfoil using the SST
turbulence model and compares the results with the experimental lift data of Ladson
(Ref. 1) and pressure data of Gregory and O’Reilly (Ref. 2). The SST model combines
the near-wall capabilities of the k-ω model with the superior free-stream behavior of
the k-ε model to enable accurate simulations of a wide variety of internal and external
flow problems. See The SST Turbulence Model in the CFD Module User’s Guide for
further information.
Model Definition
Consider the flow relative to a reference frame fixed on a NACA 0012 airfoil with
chord-length c=1.8 m. The temperature of the ambient air is 20 °C and the relative
free-stream velocity is U∞=50 m/s resulting in a Mach number of 0.15. The Reynolds
number based on the chord length is roughly 6·106, so you can assume that the
boundary layers are turbulent over practically the entire airfoil. The airfoil is inclined
at an angle α to the oncoming stream,
( u ∞, v ∞ ) = U ∞ ( cos α, sin α ) (1)
To obtain a sharp trailing edge, the airfoil is slightly altered from its original shape (Ref.
3),
y = ± c ⋅ 0.594689181 ⋅  0.298222773 ⋅ x--- – 0.127125232 ⋅ --- –

x
c c
(2)
x 2 x 3 x 4
0.357907906 ⋅  --- + 0.291984971 ⋅  --- – 0.105174696 ⋅  --- 
 c  c  c 
The upstream, top and bottom edges of the computational domain are located 100
chord-lengths away from the trailing edge of the airfoil and the downstream edge is
located 200 chord-lengths away. This is to minimize the effect of the applied boundary
conditions.
©2013 COMSOL 1 | FLOW AROUND AN INCLINED NACA 0012 AIRFOIL

Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.3b
Figure 1 shows the flow domain and the applied far-field boundary conditions,
Free-stream conditions
Open boundary
Figure 1: Flow domain and far-field boundary conditions.
Ref. 4 provides far-field values for the turbulence variables,
U∞ ν T∞
ω ∞ = ( 1 → 10 ) --------, ---------- = 10 – ( 2 → 5 ) (3)
L ν∞
where the free-stream value of the turbulence kinetic energy is given by,
k ∞ = ν T∞ ω ∞ (4)
and L is the appropriate length of the computational domain. The current model
applies the upper limit of the provided free-stream turbulence values,
U∞ ν∞ U∞
ω ∞ = 10 --------, k ∞ = 0.1 --------------- (5)
L L
2 | FLOW AROUND AN INCLINED NACA 0012 AIRFOIL ©2013 COMSOL

Figure 2 shows a close-up of the airfoil section. A no-slip condition is applied on the
surface of the airfoil.
Figure 2: Close-up of the airfoil section.
The computations employ a structured mesh with a high size-ratio between the
outermost and wall-adjacent elements.
Results and Discussion

The study performs a Parametric Sweep with the angle of attack α taking the values,
α = 0°, 2°, 4°, 6°, 8°, 10°, 12°, 14° (6)

Figure 3 shows the velocity magnitude and the streamlines for the steady flow around
the NACA 0012 profile at α=14 °.
Figure 3: Velocity magnitude and streamlines for the flow around a NACA 0012 airfoil.
A small separation bubble appears at the trailing edge for higher values of α and the
flow is unlikely to remain steady and two-dimensional hereon. Ref. 1 provides
experimental data for the lift coefficient versus the angle of attack,
CL ( α ) =
°c ( cp ( s ) ⁄ c ) ( ny ( s ) cos ( α ) – nx ( s ) sin ( α ) ) ds (7)
where the pressure coefficient is defined as,
p ( s ) – p∞
c p ( s ) = ------------------------ (8)
1
--- ρ ∞ U ∞ 2
2

and c is the chord length. Note that the normal is directed outwards from the flow
domain (into the airfoil). Figure 4 shows computational and experimental results for
the lift coefficient versus angle of attack.
Figure 4: Computational (solid) and experimental (dots) results for the lift coefficient vs.
angle of attack.
No discernible discrepancy between the computational and experimental results occurs

within the range of α values used in the computations. The experimental results
continue through the parameter regime where the airfoil stalls. Figure 5 shows a
comparison between the computed pressure coefficient at α=10 ° and the experimental

results in Ref. 2.
Figure 5: Computational (solid) and experimental (dots) results for the pressure
coefficient along the airfoil.
Experimental data is only available on the low-pressure side of the airfoil. The
agreement between the computational and experimental results is very good.
Notes About the COMSOL Implementation

The model uses the SST turbulence model together with a Parametric Sweep for the
angle of attack to compute the different flows on a Mapped Mesh.
Reference
1. C.L. Ladson, “Effects of Independent Variation of Mach and Reynolds Numbers on
the Low-Speed Aerodynamic Characteristics of the NACA 0012 Airfoil Section,”
NASA TM 4074, 1988
2. N. Gregory and C. L. O’Reilly, “Low-Speed Aerodynamic Characteristics of NACA

0012 Aerofoil Section, including the Effects of Upper-Surface Roughness Simulating
Hoar Frost,” A.R.C., R. & M. No. 3726, 1970

3. http://turbmodels.larc.nasa.gov/naca0012_val.html
4. F.R. Menter, “Two-Equation Eddy-Viscosity Models for Engineering

Applications,” AIAA Journal, Vol. 32, No. 8, 1994
Model Library path: CFD_Module/Single-Phase_Benchmarks/

naca0012_airfoil
Modeling Instructions
MODEL WIZARD
1 Go to the Model Wizard window.
2 Click the 2D button.
3 Click Next.
4 In the Add physics tree, select Fluid Flow>Single-Phase Flow>Turbulent Flow>Turbulent
Flow, SST (spf).
5 Click Next.
6 Find the Studies subsection. In the tree, select Preset Studies>Stationary with
Initialization.
7 Click Finish.
GLOBAL DEFINITIONS
Parameters
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Global Definitions and choose Parameters.
2 In the Parameters settings window, locate the Parameters section.
3 In the table, enter the following settings:
Name Expression
U_inf 50[m*s^-1]
rho_inf 1.2043[kg*m^-3]
mu_inf 1.81397e-5[kg*m^-1*s^-1]
L 180[m]
c 1.8[m]
k_inf 0.1*mu_inf*U_inf/(rho_inf*L)

Name Expression
om_inf 10*U_inf/L
alpha 0
GEOMETRY 1
Circle 1
1 In the Model Builder window, under Model 1 right-click Geometry 1 and choose Circle.
2 In the Circle settings window, locate the Size and Shape section.
3 In the Radius edit field, type L.
4 In the Sector angle edit field, type 90.
5 Locate the Rotation Angle section. In the Rotation edit field, type 90.
Parametric Curve 1
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Geometry 1 and choose Parametric Curve.
2 In the Parametric Curve settings window, locate the Expressions section.
3 In the x edit field, type c*s.
4 In the y edit field, type
c*0.594689181*(0.298222773*sqrt(s)-0.127125232*s-0.357907906*s^2+
0.291984971*s^3-0.105174696*s^4).
5 Locate the Position section. In the x edit field, type -c.
Bézier Polygon 1
1 Right-click Geometry 1 and choose Bézier Polygon.
2 In the Bézier Polygon settings window, locate the Polygon Segments section.
3 Find the Added segments subsection. Click the Add Linear button.
4 Find the Control points subsection. In row 1, set x to -c.
5 Click the Build Selected button.
Union 1
1 Right-click Geometry 1 and choose Boolean Operations>Union.
2 Select the objects b1 and pc1 only.
Convert to Solid 1
1 Right-click Geometry 1 and choose Conversions>Convert to Solid.
2 Select the object uni1 only.

Difference 1
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Geometry 1 and choose Boolean
Operations>Difference.
2 Select the object c1 only.
3 In the Difference settings window, locate the Difference section.
4 Under Objects to subtract, click Activate Selection.
5 Select the object csol1 only.
Rectangle 1
1 Right-click Geometry 1 and choose Rectangle.
2 In the Rectangle settings window, locate the Size section.
3 In the Width edit field, type 2*L.
4 In the Height edit field, type L.
6 Click the Zoom Extents button on the Graphics toolbar.
Mirror 1
1 Right-click Geometry 1 and choose Transforms>Mirror.
2 In the Mirror settings window, locate the Input section.
3 Select the Keep input objects check box.
4 Select the objects dif1 and r1 only.
5 In the Mirror settings window, locate the Normal Vector to Line of Reflection section.
6 In the x edit field, type 0.
7 In the y edit field, type 1.
9 Click the Zoom Extents button on the Graphics toolbar.
Mesh Control Edges 1

1 Right-click Geometry 1 and choose Virtual Operations>Mesh Control Edges.
2 On the object fin, select Boundaries 1, 2, 4, and 5 only.
3 Click the Build All button.

MATERIALS
Material Browser
1 In the Model Builder window, under Model 1 right-click Materials and choose Open
Material Browser.
2 In the Material Browser settings window, In the tree, select Liquids and
Gases>Gases>Air.
3 In the Material_browser window, click Add Material to Model.
TU R B U L E N T F L O W, S S T
Fluid Properties 1
1 In the Model Builder window, expand the Model 1>Turbulent Flow, SST node, then
click Fluid Properties 1.
2 In the Fluid Properties settings window, locate the Distance Equation section.
3 From the lref list, choose Manual.
4 In the Reference length edit field, type 0.2.
Inlet 1
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Turbulent Flow, SST and choose Inlet.
2 Select Boundary 1 only.
3 In the Inlet settings window, locate the Boundary Condition section.
4 Click the Specify turbulence variables button.
5 In the k0 edit field, type k_inf.
6 In the ω0 edit field, type om_inf.
7 Locate the Velocity section. Click the Velocity field button.
8 In the u0 table, enter the following settings:
U_inf*cos(alpha*pi/180) x
U_inf*sin(alpha*pi/180) y
Initial Values 1
1 In the Model Builder window, under Model 1>Turbulent Flow, SST click Initial Values 1.
2 In the Initial Values settings window, locate the Initial Values section.
10 | FLOW AROUND AN INCLINED NAC A 0012 AIRFOIL ©2013 COMSOL

3 In the u table, enter the following settings:
U_inf*cos(alpha*pi/180) x
U_inf*sin(alpha*pi/180) y
Open Boundary 1
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Turbulent Flow, SST and choose Open
Boundary.
MESH 1
Mapped 1
1 In the Model Builder window, under Model 1 right-click Mesh 1 and choose Mapped.
2 In the Mapped settings window, locate the Domain Selection section.
3 From the Geometric entity level list, choose Domain.
4 Select Domain 3 only.
5 Click to expand the Control Entities section. Clear the Smooth across removed control
entities check box.
Distribution 1
1 Right-click Model 1>Mesh 1>Mapped 1 and choose Distribution.
2 Select Boundaries 2 and 11 only.
3 In the Distribution settings window, locate the Distribution section.
4 From the Distribution properties list, choose Predefined distribution type.
5 In the Number of elements edit field, type 100.
6 In the Element ratio edit field, type 15000000.
7 From the Distribution method list, choose Geometric sequence.
8 Select the Reverse direction check box.
Distribution 2
1 Right-click Mapped 1 and choose Distribution.


Distribution 3
Mapped 2
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Mesh 1 and choose Mapped.
4 Select Domains 1 and 4 only.
5 Locate the Control Entities section. Clear the Smooth across removed control entities
check box.
Distribution 1
2 Select Boundaries 9–11 only.
Distribution 2


8 Select the Symmetric distribution check box.
Mapped 3
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Mesh 1 and choose Mapped.
4 Select Domain 2 only.
5 Locate the Control Entities section. Clear the Smooth across removed control entities
check box.
Distribution 1
Distribution 2
9 In the Model Builder window, right-click Mesh 1 and choose Build All.

STUDY 1
Step 2: Stationary
1 In the Model Builder window, expand the Study 1 node, then click Step 2: Stationary.
2 In the Stationary settings window, click to expand the Study Extensions section.
3 Select the Continuation check box.
4 Click Add.
5 In the table, enter the following settings:
Continuation parameter Parameter value list

alpha 0,2,4,6,8,10,12,14
6 In the Model Builder window, right-click Study 1 and choose Get Initial Value.
Set up a velocity-magnitude and streamline plot for the region close to the airfoil and
display it during the computations.
RESULTS
Velocity (spf)
1 In the Model Builder window, under Results right-click Velocity (spf) and choose
Streamline.
2 In the Streamline settings window, locate the Streamline Positioning section.
3 From the Positioning list, choose Start point controlled.
4 From the Entry method list, choose Coordinates.
5 In the x edit field, type 0.
6 In the y edit field, type range(-2,0.025,2).
7 In the Model Builder window, click Velocity (spf).
8 In the 2D Plot Group settings window, locate the Plot Settings section.
9 From the View list, choose View 1.
DEFINITIONS
In the Model Builder window, expand the Model 1>Definitions node.
Axis
1 In the Model Builder window, expand the Model 1>Definitions>View 1 node, then click
Axis.
2 In the Axis settings window, locate the Axis section.

3 In the x minimum edit field, type -2.2.

4 In the x maximum edit field, type 0.6.
5 In the y minimum edit field, type -1.
6 In the y maximum edit field, type 1.
7 Click the Apply button.
View 1
1 In the Model Builder window, under Model 1>Definitions click View 1.
2 In the View settings window, locate the View section.
3 Select the Lock axis check box.
STUDY 1
In the Model Builder window, expand the Study 1>Solver Configurations node.
Solver 1
1 In the Model Builder window, expand the Study 1>Solver Configurations>Solver
1>Stationary Solver 2 node, then click Segregated 1.
2 In the Segregated settings window, click to expand the Results While Solving section.
3 Select the Plot check box.
4 In the Model Builder window, right-click Study 1 and choose Compute.
RESULTS
Derived Values
1 In the Model Builder window, under Results right-click Derived Values and choose
Integration>Line Integration.
3 In the Line Integration settings window, locate the Expression section.
4 In the Expression edit field, type p/(1/2*rho_inf*U_inf^2)/
c*(spf.nymesh*cos(alpha*pi/180)-spf.nxmesh*sin(alpha*pi/180)).
5 Click the Evaluate button.

6 In the Table window, click Table Graph.
1D Plot Group 4
1 In the Model Builder window, under Results right-click Tables and choose Table.
2 In the Table settings window, locate the Data section.
3 Click the Import button.

4 Browse to the model’s Model Library folder and double-click the file
naca0012_airfoil_Ladson_CL.dat.
5 In the Model Builder window, right-click 1D Plot Group 4 and choose Table Graph.
6 In the Table Graph settings window, locate the Data section.
7 From the Table list, choose Table 2.
8 Locate the Coloring and Style section. Find the Line style subsection. From the Line
list, choose None.
9 From the Color list, choose Blue.
10 Find the Line markers subsection. From the Marker list, choose Point.
11 From the Positioning list, choose In data points.
12 In the Model Builder window, click 1D Plot Group 4.
13 In the 1D Plot Group settings window, click to expand the Title section.
14 From the Title type list, choose Manual.
15 In the Title text area, type Lift vs. angle of attack.
16 Locate the Plot Settings section. Select the x-axis label check box.
17 In the associated edit field, type \alpha.
18 Select the y-axis label check box.
19 In the associated edit field, type CL.
20 Click the Plot button.
21 In the Model Builder window, under Results right-click Tables and choose Table.
22 In the Table settings window, locate the Data section.
23 Click the Import button.
24 Browse to the model’s Model Library folder and double-click the file
naca0012_airfoil_Gregory_OReilly_Cp.dat.
25 In the Table window, click Table Graph.
1D Plot Group 5
1 In the Model Builder window, under Results>1D Plot Group 5 click Table Graph 1.
2 In the Table Graph settings window, locate the Coloring and Style section.
3 Find the Line style subsection. From the Line list, choose None.
4 From the Color list, choose Blue.
5 Find the Line markers subsection. From the Marker list, choose Point.
6 From the Positioning list, choose In data points.

7 In the Model Builder window, right-click 1D Plot Group 5 and choose Line Graph.
8 In the Line Graph settings window, locate the Data section.
9 From the Data set list, choose Solution 1.
10 From the Parameter selection (alpha) list, choose Manual.
11 In the Parameter indices (1-8) edit field, type 6.
13 In the Line Graph settings window, locate the y-Axis Data section.
14 In the Expression edit field, type -p/(1/2*rho_inf*U_inf^2).
15 Locate the x-Axis Data section. From the Parameter list, choose Expression.
16 In the Expression edit field, type (x+c)/c.
17 Click to expand the Coloring and Style section. Find the Line style subsection. From
the Color list, choose Blue.
18 In the Model Builder window, click 1D Plot Group 5.
19 In the 1D Plot Group settings window, locate the Title section.
20 From the Title type list, choose None.
21 Locate the Plot Settings section. Select the x-axis label check box.
22 In the associated edit field, type (x-xLE)/c.
23 Select the y-axis label check box.
24 In the associated edit field, type -cp.
25 Click the Plot button.


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Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.

Flow Around an Inclined NACA 0012

( u ∞, v ∞ ) = U ∞ ( cos α, sin α ) (1)

y = ± c ⋅ 0.594689181 ⋅  0.298222773 ⋅ x--- – 0.127125232 ⋅ --- –

©2013 COMSOL 1 | FLOW AROUND AN INCLINED NACA 0012 AIRFOIL

Figure 1: Flow domain and far-field boundary conditions.

Ref. 4 provides far-field values for the turbulence variables,

2 | FLOW AROUND AN INCLINED NACA 0012 AIRFOIL ©2013 COMSOL

Figure 2: Close-up of the airfoil section.

Results and Discussion

α = 0°, 2°, 4°, 6°, 8°, 10°, 12°, 14° (6)

©2013 COMSOL 3 | FLOW AROUND AN INCLINED NACA 0012 AIRFOIL

where the pressure coefficient is defined as,

4 | FLOW AROUND AN INCLINED NACA 0012 AIRFOIL ©2013 COMSOL

No discernible discrepancy between the computational and experimental results occurs

©2013 COMSOL 5 | FLOW AROUND AN INCLINED NACA 0012 AIRFOIL

Notes About the COMSOL Implementation

2. N. Gregory and C. L. O’Reilly, “Low-Speed Aerodynamic Characteristics of NACA

6 | FLOW AROUND AN INCLINED NACA 0012 AIRFOIL ©2013 COMSOL

4. F.R. Menter, “Two-Equation Eddy-Viscosity Models for Engineering

Model Library path: CFD_Module/Single-Phase_Benchmarks/

©2013 COMSOL 7 | FLOW AROUND AN INCLINED NACA 0012 AIRFOIL

5 Locate the Position section. In the x edit field, type -c.

8 | FLOW AROUND AN INCLINED NACA 0012 AIRFOIL ©2013 COMSOL

3 Click the Build Selected button.

Mesh Control Edges 1

©2013 COMSOL 9 | FLOW AROUND AN INCLINED NACA 0012 AIRFOIL

10 | FLOW AROUND AN INCLINED NAC A 0012 AIRFOIL ©2013 COMSOL

3 In the u table, enter the following settings:

©2013 COMSOL 11 | FLOW AROUND AN INCLINED NACA 0012 AIRFOIL

6 In the Element ratio edit field, type 25.

12 | FLOW AROUND AN INCLINED NAC A 0012 AIRFOIL ©2013 COMSOL

5 In the Number of elements edit field, type 256.

©2013 COMSOL 13 | FLOW AROUND AN INCLINED NACA 0012 AIRFOIL

Continuation parameter Parameter value list

14 | FLOW AROUND AN INCLINED NAC A 0012 AIRFOIL ©2013 COMSOL

3 In the x minimum edit field, type -2.2.

5 Click the Evaluate button.

©2013 COMSOL 15 | FLOW AROUND AN INCLINED NACA 0012 AIRFOIL

25 In the Table window, click Table Graph.

16 | FLOW AROUND AN INCLINED NAC A 0012 AIRFOIL ©2013 COMSOL

©2013 COMSOL 17 | FLOW AROUND AN INCLINED NACA 0012 AIRFOIL

18 | FLOW AROUND AN INCLINED NAC A 0012 AIRFOIL ©2013 COMSOL

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