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Aircraft Aerodynamic Parameter Calculator

£25.00

Based on four input values – altitude, air speed, target Y+ and reference length – the aircraft aerodynamic parameter calculator:

  • determines the speed of sound, dynamic pressure and Mach number;
  • calculates static pressure, total pressure, and static and total temperatures;
  • defines air density, dynamic and kinematic viscosity and the Reynolds number;
  • recommends free-stream inlet turbulence properties and calculates turbulent kinetic energy and dissipation rate;
  • works out air thermal conductivity at static temperature and static pressure, as determined by altitude;
  • estimates the first prism layer thickness based on target y+ value.
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SKU: FCTCFD_WS_Aero-Param-Calc_2.2-SI Category:

Aircraft Aerodynamic Parameter Calculator

Designed as a spreadsheet, this calculator provides, in one place, all data required to set up boundary conditions, define air material properties and determine 1st prism layer thickness for aircraft aerodynamic simulations. Use this simple and straightforward tool to prepare simulations efficiently. In fact, this is the aerodynamic parameter calculator we use for our own aircraft simulation projects.

Calculation methods are based on reputable sources and have been checked against reference data. Literature references are provided for each parameter set.

The aerodynaimc parameter calculator needs four input values from the user:

  • Altitude,
  • Air speed,
  • Reference length,
  • Target Y+ value.

While necessary input parameters are in the yellow background cells, green cells show results to put in the simulation.

We use altitude to determine free-stream properties, like static temperature, static pressure and air density. These calculations are based on the Earth Atmosphere Model, which can provide data even in the upper stratosphere. Since aircraft aerodynamic simulations rely on compressible air material properties, use static temperature and pressure to define base properties.

Air speed, or free stream velocity is the input to calculate the speed of sound at a given altitude. In addition to that, air speed is also used to determine dynamic pressure.

To work out the Reynolds number, we need a reference length. This is the third input parameter. Reference length may depend on the application, but in the majority of aircraft aerodynamic parameter calculations it is the wing aerofoil chord length. For example, the mean chord length of the business jet geometry is 3.4415m.

We calculate inlet free stream turbulence properties based on recommended turbulence intensity and eddy viscosity ratio values.

This aircraft aerodynamic parameter calculator recommends a 1st prism layer thickness for the target y+ input. It relies on a flat plate of the same size as the reference length. Which is a quite simple shape, but this is the approximation the industry applies. For this reason, we have added some notes on how to get a better 1st prism layer thickness approximation for an aircraft fuselage.

Download pack content and properties:

  • XLSX file format.
  • Calculator uses Metric units.
  • Download file size is 70kB. When extracted, content is 71kB.

Any questions?

If you have any questions or comments about this product, we would like to hear it. Please get in touch by sending an email to sales@cfdengineering.co.uk.

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