Low Speed Airfoil Analysis Using a Small Digital Computer

A computing routine has been developed for calculation of two-dimensional incompressible airfoil characteristics on a small (IBM 1130) digital computer. Theodorsen's method of conformal transformation is utilized to obtain potential flow pressure distributions. A selection of quadrature methods are utilized to obtain boundary layer characteristics, including laminar and turbulent layers, instability, transition, and separation. Selected results are presented which illustrate the capabilities and limitations of the program. Typical computing times and costs are presented. Several suggested improvements to the calculation routine are discussed.