Vortex Panel Method: Implementation

ABSTRACT

In this project, the vortex panel method was used to simulate flow conditions around a 2-dimensional circular cylinder by using panels with linearly varying strengths such that the solution is continuous from panel to panel. Particularly, the pressure distribution around a circular cylinder was evaluated using 32, 64, and 128 panels with the Kutta condition imposed at theta = 180 and at -150 degrees. The method of panels pressure distribution was compared to the pressure distribution found analytically using potential flow theory. Unsurprisingly, it was determined that the method of panels solution approached the analytical solution as the number of panels increased. Finally, the Thwaites boundary layer separation criterion was used to determine the separation points for both the symmetric and asymmetric cases.

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