Computational assessment of winglet-induced variations in pressure coefficients on NACA 4418 aircraft wings

This study presents a computational analysis of the effects of winglets on the aerodynamic performance of NACA 4418 aircraft wings, focusing on the variations in pressure coefficients. Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, we evaluated the aerodynamic behavior of NACA 4418 wings unde...

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Main Authors: Md. Abdullah, Mohammad Zoynal Abedin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-01-01
Series:Advances in Mechanical Engineering
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/16878132251314329
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author Md. Abdullah
Mohammad Zoynal Abedin
author_facet Md. Abdullah
Mohammad Zoynal Abedin
author_sort Md. Abdullah
collection DOAJ
description This study presents a computational analysis of the effects of winglets on the aerodynamic performance of NACA 4418 aircraft wings, focusing on the variations in pressure coefficients. Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, we evaluated the aerodynamic behavior of NACA 4418 wings under various flight conditions. The primary objective was to determine how winglets influence the distribution of pressure across the wing surface, which directly affects lift and drag characteristics. Our simulations utilized a high-fidelity turbulence model to accurately capture the complex flow dynamics near the wing surface. The results indicate a significant modification in the pressure coefficient distribution due to the winglet, particularly at the wing tips with NACA 4418 using the angles of attack (AoA) at 4°, 0°, 4°, 8°, 12°, 16°, 20° and 24° for velocity of 30 m/s, where the reduction in vortex strength leads to decreased induced drag. The results reveal that the pressure coefficient becomes high at 20%C, then decreases to a minimum value at 45%C and then rises gradually up to again a higher value at 80%C for the angles of attack of − 4° and 0° at three airfoil velocity. However, for the angles of attack of 4°, 8°, 12°, 16°, 20° and 24°, the pressure coefficient becomes minimum at 20%C, then gradually increases and finally becomes maximum at 80%C for three airfoil velocities. This is encountered due to the orientation of airfoil’s lower and higher surface. This research provides insights into the design and optimization of winglets for better aerodynamic performance of aircraft wings.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-01-01
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series Advances in Mechanical Engineering
spelling doaj-art-538f1a66ebbf4ac3a7452d27f148b8012025-01-20T10:03:38ZengSAGE PublishingAdvances in Mechanical Engineering1687-81402025-01-011710.1177/16878132251314329Computational assessment of winglet-induced variations in pressure coefficients on NACA 4418 aircraft wingsMd. Abdullah0Mohammad Zoynal Abedin1Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University, Khagan, Savar, Dhaka, BangladeshDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur, BangladeshThis study presents a computational analysis of the effects of winglets on the aerodynamic performance of NACA 4418 aircraft wings, focusing on the variations in pressure coefficients. Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, we evaluated the aerodynamic behavior of NACA 4418 wings under various flight conditions. The primary objective was to determine how winglets influence the distribution of pressure across the wing surface, which directly affects lift and drag characteristics. Our simulations utilized a high-fidelity turbulence model to accurately capture the complex flow dynamics near the wing surface. The results indicate a significant modification in the pressure coefficient distribution due to the winglet, particularly at the wing tips with NACA 4418 using the angles of attack (AoA) at 4°, 0°, 4°, 8°, 12°, 16°, 20° and 24° for velocity of 30 m/s, where the reduction in vortex strength leads to decreased induced drag. The results reveal that the pressure coefficient becomes high at 20%C, then decreases to a minimum value at 45%C and then rises gradually up to again a higher value at 80%C for the angles of attack of − 4° and 0° at three airfoil velocity. However, for the angles of attack of 4°, 8°, 12°, 16°, 20° and 24°, the pressure coefficient becomes minimum at 20%C, then gradually increases and finally becomes maximum at 80%C for three airfoil velocities. This is encountered due to the orientation of airfoil’s lower and higher surface. This research provides insights into the design and optimization of winglets for better aerodynamic performance of aircraft wings.https://doi.org/10.1177/16878132251314329
spellingShingle Md. Abdullah
Mohammad Zoynal Abedin
Computational assessment of winglet-induced variations in pressure coefficients on NACA 4418 aircraft wings
Advances in Mechanical Engineering
title Computational assessment of winglet-induced variations in pressure coefficients on NACA 4418 aircraft wings
title_full Computational assessment of winglet-induced variations in pressure coefficients on NACA 4418 aircraft wings
title_fullStr Computational assessment of winglet-induced variations in pressure coefficients on NACA 4418 aircraft wings
title_full_unstemmed Computational assessment of winglet-induced variations in pressure coefficients on NACA 4418 aircraft wings
title_short Computational assessment of winglet-induced variations in pressure coefficients on NACA 4418 aircraft wings
title_sort computational assessment of winglet induced variations in pressure coefficients on naca 4418 aircraft wings
url https://doi.org/10.1177/16878132251314329
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AT mohammadzoynalabedin computationalassessmentofwingletinducedvariationsinpressurecoefficientsonnaca4418aircraftwings