Optimization of the Slotted Gurney-Flap geometry applied to NACA 0012 airfoil for aerodynamic performance improvement

The salient aim of this paper is the shape optimization of an airfoil equipped with Gurney-Flap for aerodynamic performance improvement. The optimization of the slotted Gurney-Flap for improving the aerodynamic efficiency and increasing the lift force of NACA 0012 is the novelty of this research. The Genetic Algorithm, Artificial Neural Network, and Computational Fluid Dynamics are employed for shape optimization. The optimization variables include the height and thickness of the GF; also, the thickness and position of the slot. All analyses have been conducted at Re=0.45×106 and AOA=8o to simulate the take-off phase. After validating numerical results, the optimization process was conducted with two different fitness functions of lift force and aerodynamic efficiency. According to the results, the geometry representing an optimized lift coefficient compared to the geometry with optimized aerodynamic efficiency has a considerably higher height. Furthermore, the thickness of the slot in the first geometry is lower than the second geometry. The first optimized geometry leads to a 21.64 percent lift coefficient increment; there is a 293 percent increment in aerodynamic efficiency due to the second optimized geometry. As a result, it can be indicated that the help of slotted optimized Gurney-Flap can provide the required lift force for Short Take-Off Landing distance.