Unit IV

Conformal Transformation
 • Conformal mapping

• Brief review of complex numbers:

Conformal • Complex representation of potential flows

Transform • Transformation of circle into flat plate

ation • Transformation of circle into ellipse

• Transformation of circle into symmetric airfoil

• Transformation of circle into Cambered airfoil

• Transformation of Joukowski airfoils

Conformal mapping

• the application of potential flow

theory to practical aerodynamics

• that lift on a body is proportional

to the circulation about a closed
path
Brief review of complex numbers:

A complex number z is a sum of a real and imaginary part; z = real + iimaginary

The term i, refers to the complex number

i 1
i   1, i 2  1, i 3  i, i 4 1

y, imaginary

z = real + iimaginary = x + iy

x, real
A complex number can be written in polar form using Euler's equation;

z = x + iy = rei = r(cos + isin)

r2 = x 2 + y 2
Complex multiplication: z1z2 = (x1+iy1)(x2+iy2) = (x1x2 - y1y2) + i(x1y2 + y1x2)

i1 i 2 i (1  2 )
 r1e r2 e  r1r2 e
Complex representation of potential flows

The basic flows used in potential flow theory such as

• uniform flow,
• source,
• sink,
• doublet and
• vortex,

can all be represented using complex numbers

w(z) =  + i = (velocity potential) + i(stream function)

Complex representation w(z) =  + i = (velocity
of potential flows: potential) + i(stream function)
Uniform flow

: w(z) =  + i = Vx + iVy = V(x+iy)

= Vz
Complex representation of potential flows: Source flow

w(z) =  + i = (velocity potential) + i(stream function)

Complex representation of potential flows: Uniform flow

w(z) =  + i = (velocity potential) + i(stream function)

  i   
w ln( z )   i  ln( re )  (ln( r )  i )  ln( r )  i 
2 2 2 2 2
 Complex representation of potential flows: Vortex flow

w(z) =  + i = (velocity potential) + i(stream function)

    
w i ln( z )   i i ln( re i ) i (ln( r )  i )   i ln( r )
2 2 2 2 2
Complex representation of potential flows: Doublet flow

w(z) =  + i = (velocity potential) + i(stream function)

k 1 k 1 k  1  i  k 1
w   i  i
  e  (cos   i sin  )
2 z 2 re 2  r  2 r
Complex representation of potential flows: the flow past a cylinder with lift

w(z) =  + i = (velocity potential) + i(stream function)

 R 2
 
w( z ) V  z    i ln( z )
 z  2
Conformal mapping

• A conformal mapping is performed through the transformation of a

complex function from one coordinate system to another.
• A transformation function is applied to the original function to
perform the mapping.
• For aerodynamics applications the Joukowski transform is the most
commonly used function;

b2
w z 
z
Conformal mapping
b2
w z 
z
Here, b is a constant. Graphically, a conformal mapping will transform a complex
plane in z (z = x+iy) into a complex plane in a new variable w (w = +i).
Transformation of circle into flat plate
b2
w z 
z
a circle drawn in the z plane, z = bei. The Joukowski transform maps the circle into a
flat plate,

2
w bei  b i bei  be i 2b cos( )  i0
be
Transformation of circle into ellipse
b2
w z 
z
If the circle originally had a radius slightly larger than the transform constant b,
z = aei, with a > b, the circle would have formed an ellipse instead of the flat plate.

b 2
i b 2
 b 2
  b 2

w z  ae  i  a   cos( )  i a   sin( ) x  iy
z ae  a  a

x2 y2
 1
2 2 2 2
 b   b 
 a    a  
 a   a 
Transformation of circle into Symmetric Airfoil
b2
w z 
z
If we consider a circle slightly offset from the origin along the negative real axis, one
obtains a symmetric Joukowski airfoil
Transformation of circle into Canbered Airfoil
b2
w z 
z
The equation of the offset circle is z = aei-eb where the constant e is a small number.
If the cylinder is displaced slightly along the complex axis as well, one obtains a
cambered airfoil shape.
Transformation of Joukowski airfoils

y  w plane
z plane

2
w z  b
z

x
Transformation of Joukowski airfoils

y  w plane
z plane
2
w z  b
z


x
Transformation of Joukowski airfoils

y  w plane
z plane

2
w z  b
z

x
Lift - Joukowski airfoils
y  w plane
z plane

2
w z  b
z

x

L’ = V .
If the lifting flow about the cylinder is defined as function Q where Q = Q(z) in the z plane and Q
= Q(w) in the w plane

Q Q
Vz  Vw 
z w
Lift - Joukowski airfoils
y  w plane
z plane
2
w z  b
z

Q Q x

Vz  Vw 
z w

Q Q w

z w z

Vz Vw w
z

w  z 2  b2
z z2

Vcylinder VJoukowski
Lift - Joukowski airfoils
Vortex strength

V   2V sin( )   
 2R 

0 2V sin( )  
2R

 4V R sin( )

If the field is rotated by  to simulate an angle of attack,

 4V R sin(   )
Lift - Joukowski airfoils

Since the cord length of the Joukowski airfoil is 4b, the

lift coefficient can be written

L V  4V2 R sin(   )

CL    2 
1 1 2V b 2V 2
b
V c
2
V 4b
2 
2 2
b  R,

CL 2 sin(   ) 2 (   )

Example Problem:

A Joukowski airfoil is formed by displacing a circle of radius 1 by x = -0.08 (real axis)

and y = 0.05 (imaginary axis). Find,
a) Vortex strength  if  = 0o, and V = 10 m/s

b) CL at  = 0o and  = 10o
Example Problem:( cont…)

A Joukowski airfoil is formed by displacing a circle of radius 1 by x = -0.08 (real axis)

and y = 0.05 (imaginary axis). Find,
a) Vortex strength  if  = 0o, and V = 10 m/s

b) CL at  = 0o and  = 10o
 sin  1 0.05  2.87O
 1 

tan(2.87O )  0.05
0.08  b

b = 0.9187
Example Problem:( cont…)

A Joukowski airfoil is formed by displacing a circle of radius 1 by x = -0.08 (real axis)

and y = 0.05 (imaginary axis). Find,
a) Vortex strength  if  = 0o, and V = 10 m/s

b) CL at  = 0o and  = 10o

b = 0.9187

a)  = 4VRsin(+) = 4(10)(1)sin(2.87) = 6.2831

b) CL = 2sin(2.87) = 0.31415

CL = 2sin(10 + 2.87) = 1.40

 Transformation w = z2

u + iv = (x + iy)2 = x2 - y2 + 2ixy
u = x2 - y2 and v = 2xy
Case 1

If u is constant (say, a), then x2 - y2 = a

which is a rectangular hyperbola.
Similarly, if v is constant (say, b), than xy = b/2 which also represents a rectangular hyperbola
 Transformation w = z2

u + iv = (x + iy)2 = x2 - y2 + 2ixy
u = x2 - y2 and v = 2xy
Case 2
Again if x is constant (say, c), then y = v/2c and y2 = c2 - u.
Elimination of y from these equations gives v2 = 4c2 (c2 - u),
which represents a parabola.
Similarly, if y is a constant (say, d), then elimination of x from the equation (i) gives
v2 = 4d2 (d2 + u) which is also a parabola.
Show that points on a circle x2 + y2 = a2 are transformed to points on the ellipse by Joukowski transformation.
How this ellipse transforms to a flat plate.
Show that points on a circle x2 + y2 = a2 are transformed to points on the ellipse by Joukowski transformation.
How this ellipse transforms to a flat plate.
A long elliptic cylinder of thickness ratio 1/7 is set at zero incidence in an airstream with velocity 60 m/sec.
Calculate the pressure difference between the stagnation point and the point of maximum thickness.
Assume irrotational flow.
A long elliptic cylinder of thickness ratio 1/7 is set at zero incidence in an airstream with velocity 60 m/sec.
Calculate the pressure difference between the stagnation point and the point of maximum thickness.
Assume irrotational flow.
A long elliptic cylinder of thickness ratio 1/7 is set at zero incidence in an airstream with velocity 60 m/sec.
Calculate the pressure difference between the stagnation point and the point of maximum thickness.
Assume irrotational flow.
Using Joukowki transformation how a circle in x-y plane is transformed to a flat plate in w-plane.
(1) How should the circle be located with respect to coordinate axes
(2) (ii) What will be the chord length (iii) Determine (a) velocity and
(3) (b) pressure distribution after application of Kutta trailing edge condition
Using Joukowki transformation how a circle in x-y plane is transformed to a flat plate in w-plane.
(1) How should the circle be located with respect to coordinate axes
(2) (ii) What will be the chord length (iii) Determine (a) velocity and
(3) (b) pressure distribution after application of Kutta trailing edge condition
Using Joukowki transformation how a circle in x-y plane is transformed to a flat plate in w-plane.
(1) How should the circle be located with respect to coordinate axes
(2) (ii) What will be the chord length (iii) Determine (a) velocity and
(3) (b) pressure distribution after application of Kutta trailing edge condition
Using Joukowki transformation how a circle in x-y plane is transformed to a flat plate in w-plane.
(1) How should the circle be located with respect to coordinate axes
(2) (ii) What will be the chord length (iii) Determine (a) velocity and
(3) (b) pressure distribution after application of Kutta trailing edge condition
Indicate clearly how the circle is to be placed for Joukowski transformation to get
(a) symmetrical Joukowski aerofoil profile.
(b) circular are aerofoil (c) cambered aerofoil
Indicate clearly how the circle is to be placed for Joukowski transformation to get
(a) symmetrical Joukowski aerofoil profile.
(b) circular are aerofoil (c) cambered aerofoil
Indicate clearly how the circle is to be placed for Joukowski transformation to get
(a) symmetrical Joukowski aerofoil profile.
(b) circular are aerofoil (c) cambered aerofoil
How circulation and lift coefficient over cambered Joukowski aerofoil profile is determined.
How circulation and lift coefficient over cambered Joukowski aerofoil profile is determined.
Transformation Flow pattern in the z-plane
Example Problem:

A Joukowski airfoil is formed by displacing a circle of radius 1 by x = -0.06 (real axis)

and y = 0.02 (imaginary axis). Find,
a) Vortex strength  if  = 2o, and V = 10 m/s

b) CL at  = 0o and  = 12o
A long elliptic cylinder of thickness ratio 1/5 is set at zero incidence in an airstream with velocity 40 m/sec.
Calculate the pressure difference between the stagnation point and the point of maximum thickness.
Assume irrotational flow.