DEPARTMENT OF AERONAUTICS &

ASTRONAUTICS

SUBJECT : Aerodynamics Lab

SUBJECT CODE : 205202
LAB NO : 11

TITLE : Airfoil Distribution Analysis

SUBMITTED TO : Sir Muhammad Usama Saeed
SEMESTER : 3rd
SECTION : B

Marks Obtained
Group Group Group Member
Member 1 Member 2 3
NAME Ali Asadullah Roshan Raza Tabar Bin
Khan Saeed
REGISTRATION # 230101026 230101074 230101016
LAB REPORT
PERFORMANCE
TOTAL MARKS

DEADLINE: 15th December 2024

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 15th December 2024

Aerodynamic LAB Page 1 Experiment # 11

 Contents
Safety :............................................................................................................................................. 3
Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 4
Objective ................................................................................................................................... 4
Apparatus ................................................................................................................................. 4\
Procedure .................................................................................................................................. 4
Calculations............................................................................................................................... 5
Graphs ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Results ....................................................................................................................................... 7
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 7

Aerodynamic LAB Page 2 Experiment # 11

 Safety :
• Know the location of emergency medic box, fire extinguisher, eye wash and safety shower
and know how to use them.
• Keep away from the inlet and outlet of the Wind Tunnels while operation.
• When using the smoke generator divert the outlet of the wind tunnel in the safe manner away
from the teaching area.
• The air pressure at the outlet of the wind tunnel is high enough to blow off small structures
and well certainly disturb dust and debris and scatter paper and documents if they are left
nearby.
• Never eat, drink, or smoke while working in the laboratory.
• Read labels carefully.
• Do not use any equipment unless you are trained and approved as a user by your supervisor.
• If you have long hair or loose clothes, make sure it is tied back or confined.
• Keep the work area clear of all materials except those needed for your work. Extra books,
purses etc. should be kept away from equipment.
• If a piece of equipment fails while being used, report it immediately to your Lab instructor.
• If you are leaving a lab, turn off all the Electric switches / water inlet valves, ignition sources
and lock the doors.
• Never do unauthorized experiments.
• Know the lab and building evacuation procedure in case of any emergency.
• in case of any injury notify your instructor immediately.
• It is always better to ask questions then to risk harm yourself a damage the equipment

Aerodynamic LAB Page 3 Experiment # 11

 Introduction
The study of pressure distribution on an airfoil is critical in understanding the aerodynamic
performance of aircraft. This experiment aims to determine the pressure coefficient (Cp)
distribution along the chordwise positions of an airfoil at various angles of attack. By measuring
the pressure difference using a manometer, the velocity and Cp values at each port are calculated,
enabling the analysis of flow behavior over the airfoil surface. Such studies provide insights into
lift generation, drag minimization, and overall aerodynamic efficiency.
Objective

The objectives of this experiment are as follows:

1. To measure the pressure distribution on the upper surface of an airfoil.

2. To calculate the pressure coefficient (Cp) along the chordwise positions of the airfoil.
3. To plot the variation of Cp against x/c for the upper surface.
4. To understand the effect of aerodynamic forces on pressure variation.

Apparatus
1. Flotek wind Tunnel (360).
2. Electric Power Supply.
3. MATLAB Software
4. NACA 2412

Procedure
➢ Set the knob of Flotek subsonic wind tunnel to zero.
➢ Put the airfoil in the test section of wind tunnel and fix it properly.
➢ There are 16 ports in the tunnel to measure the pressure at various point on airfoil. The first
eight ports are used for upper surface and next eight for lower surface.
➢ Note the initial water level for all the columns. This is h of the respective port.
➢ Give an angle of attack to the airfoil.
➢ Set the knob to a particular velocity.
➢ Now the water level in each column rises, note this new value which is equal to h´.
➢ Similarly, from the free stream velocity port measure the difference in height and calculate
free stream pressure and free stream velocity.
➢ Perform this experiment for different angle of attack.
➢ Measure difference in water column and calculate pressure using 𝑝 = 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑔∆h, and from
2∗𝑝1
pressure measure velocity 𝑣1 = √ 𝜌 . Finally calculate coefficient of pressure.
𝑎𝑖𝑟

➢ Plot the graph between CP and x/c.

Aerodynamic LAB Page 4 Experiment # 11

 Calculations
Fan knob=40
Total port for upper pressure=8
Total port for lower pressure=8
Velocity port=1
(𝛼 = −10)

PORT NO FINAL PRESSURE VELOCITY CENTER

COLUMN DIFFRENCE AT PORT OF x/c
LEVEL(mm) PRESSURE
1 57.15 560.6415 30.19292 -1.25 0.82
2 0 0 0 1 0.68
3 0 0 0 1 0.54
4 63.5 622.935 31.82613 -1.5 0.4
5 69.85 685.2285 33.37952 -1.75 0.26
6 37.3 365.913 24.39222 -0.4685 0.16
7 25.4 249.174 20.12861 -8.7E-08 0.06
8 0 0 0 1 0.01
1 12.7 124.587 14.23308 0.5 0.01
2 31.75 311.4675 22.50447 -0.25 0.05
3 31.75 311.4675 22.50447 -0.25 0.126
4 25.4 249.174 20.12861 -8.7E-08 0.2
5 0 0 0 1 0.34
6 0 0 0 1 0.48
7 25.4 249.174 20.12861 -8.7E-08 0.63
8 12.7 124.587 14.23308 0.5 0.8

Graphs

PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION AT UPPER SURFACE

Aerodynamic LAB Page 5 Experiment # 11

 PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION AT LOWER SURFACE

Aerodynamic LAB Page 6 Experiment # 11

 _________________________________________________________________________

Results
The experimental data will include:
• Initial and final liquid levels (ℎ1 , ℎ2 ).
• Pressure difference (𝛥𝑃).
• Velocity at the port (𝑉).
• Pressure coefficient (𝐶𝑝 ) for each static port.
• Graphs showing 𝐶𝑝 vs. 𝑥/𝑐 at various angles of attack.

Conclusion
The experiment demonstrates how pressure distribution varies along an airfoil's chord at
different angles of attack. As the angle increases, the pressure difference becomes more
pronounced, particularly at the leading edge, indicating the onset of higher lift and potential flow
separation. The calculated 𝐶𝑝 profiles provide insight into the aerodynamic characteristics of the
airfoil.

Aerodynamic LAB Page 7 Experiment # 11