Theoretical effect of modifications to the upper surface of two NACA airfoils using smooth polynomial additional thickness distributions which emphasize leading edge profile and which vary linearly at the trailing edge
An investigation was conducted on a CDC 7600 digital computer to determine the effects of additional thickness distributions to the upper surface of airfoils. The additional thickness distribution had the form of a continuous mathematical function which disappears at both the leading edge and the trailing edge. Results were obtained at a Mach number of 0.2 with an angle of attack of 6 deg. All calculations employed the full potential flow equations for two dimensional flow. The relaxation method of Jameson was used for solution of the potential flow equations. It is shown that increasing the thickness and variations in shape increases the lift and the adverse pitching moment coefficients.