Airfoil sample generation

Blackbox provides two modules for generating airfoil samples depending on the parametrization. The AirfoilCST and AirfoilFFD module provides various methods for running analysis and generating data with CST and FFD Parametrization, respectively. Before starting to use these modules, a .dat file is needed which contains airfoil coordinates. There are few important points to note regarding .dat file:

• The .dat file should follow selig format i.e. the points should start from trailing edge and go in counter-clockwise direction and then back to trailing edge.

• The first and last point in the .dat file should be same (for both sharp and blunt trailing edge). This ensures that surface created using those points is closed. The coordinates obtained from the UIUC database usually doesn’t close the loop, so check the .dat file properly before using with Blackbox.

• The leading and trailing edge of the airfoil coordinates should lie on the x-axis (best case scenario) or should be very close to it.

  Note

  Whenever the trailing edge is blunt, only two points should be there. More than two points in trailing edge will give an error. This requirement is only when using CST parametrization

Explore below sections to know more about how these modules can be used. It is highly recommended to go through atleast one of the first two sections before moving on to other sections. All the files used in below sections can be found in examples directory on github.

Table of Contents

• Sample generation with CST
  • Setting up options
  • Adding design variables
  • Generating samples and accessing data
• Sample generation with FFD
  • Setting up options
  • Adding design variables
  • Generating samples and accessing data
• Running single analysis
• Getting field data
• Implicit alpha
• Options
  • CST related options
  • FFD related options
  • General options