A Computational Investigation of Simulated
Large-Droplet Ice shapes on Airfoil Aerodynamics
T.A. Dunn, E. Loth and M.B. Bragg
University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801
ABSTRACT
The objective of this research was to numerically study the
effects of simulated spanwise-step-ice accretions (resulting from
supercooled-large-droplet icing conditions) on subsonic aircraft
aerodynamics. The investigations were performed with a high-resolution
full Navier-Stokes code using a solution-adaptive unstructured grid for
both non-iced and iced configurations. The airfoil investigated was a
modified NACA 23012 with a simple flap. Simulated ice shapes were tested
on the airfoil to determine the sensitivity of ice shape size on airfoil
performance and control. Predictions of sectional aerodynamic
characteristics for a quarter-round ice-shape heights of 0.0083 and 0.0139
chords are presented and compared with experimental data. Significant
reductions in lift were noted for these relatively small protuberances,
which was consistent with experimental findings. The results also
indicate good predictive performance for drag, pitching moment, and hinge
moment variations.