Three-dimensional analysis of tubercle leading edge airfoil with varying amplitude of tubercles

Abstract

The design of tubercle wings inspired by humpback whales has sparked interest in the recent decade. Study showed that tubercle wings had a great impact on performance when compared to baseline models. By altering the amplitude, wavelength, Reynolds number, wing planform, and airfoil thickness, the aerodynamic performance of a wavy wing is extensively examined. Modifying tubercle amplitude has yet to be investigated in terms of its effect on the leading edge of the finite wing. The current research focuses on the performance of the finite tubercle wingspan in the stall zone with changing waviness amplitude. The tubercle models are DU06W200 airfoil designs that have had their amplitude increased or decreased from the wing root to the wing tip. The experiment is carried out in a subsonic wind tunnel with a constant Reynolds number of 120,000. The spanwise waviness on an aircraft wing is only advantageous in the pre-stall regime, according to the experimental data. It was also shown that increasing waviness amplitude from the root to the tip enhances aerodynamic performance more than reducing it near the tip.