Modeling of Profile Error and Application to a Low Reynolds Number Airfoil

This paper deals with the development of a computational environment to estimate the effect of the profile error. The profile error is one of the mismatches which refers to the smooth local difference between the designed and the manufactured shapes. Because there are no general criteria for the profile error, we developed the computational environment to evaluate the aerodynamic effect of the profile error. We used the computational fluid dynamic analysis to calculate aerodynamic performance and the shape deformation method called free-form deformation to model the profile error. We applied the computational environment to a typical low Reynolds number airfoil and we could derive a critical value of the profile error. Therefore, the current computational environment is useful in determining the effect of the profile error.