Optimising Leading-Edge Protuberances for Enhanced Post-Stall Performance of a Bio-Inspired Wing
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study employed numerical analysis in ANSYS Fluent to investigate the influence of leading-edge protuberances (LEPs) on wings with a NASA LS(1)-0417 cross-section, inspired by a humpback whale's flippers. Various parameters, including different wavelengths and amplitudes of protuberances, were explored. Numerical analyses were conducted at 8.815 m/s in a turbulent flow domain with a chord-based Reynolds number of 1.4 × 105, using a DES-based SST k-ω model. The wing was analysed at a 17° angle of attack using the response surface method in Minitab in order to increase the lift-to-drag ratio (CL/CD), which was the single objective for this study. Results showed significant aerodynamic improvements, with the optimised wing achieving a 7.7% increase in lift, a 4.55% reduction in drag and a 12.7% enhancement in the CL/CD compared to the baseline wing. These findings highlight the potential of LEPs to improve post-stall performance, providing valuable insights for aerodynamic optimisation and bio-inspired engineering applications, particularly in aircraft design and other systems.
Source: Figshare
Language: English
Subfield: Aerospace Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225609619
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