Python companion to Low Speed Aerodynamics

Low Speed Aerodynamics 2nd Edition by Joseph Katz and Allen Plotkin

Purpose

This is a project implements the FORTRAN computer programs listed in Low Speed Aerodynamics (2nd Ed) into a Python package and stand alone program(s). Additional features such as visualisation have been included.

Written permission provided by Professor Joseph Katz, San Diego State University, to recreate the original FORTRAN functionality in Python and/or C for this Open Source Software.

Programs and Features

Programs

The following table is a summary from Appendix D of Low Speed Aerodynamics. Each program will be recreated in Python. Fortran transcripts are available in tests/f77 and can be built following the instructions in tests/BUILD.md.

No.	Name	Program Description	Section	Python	Fortran
		2D Panel Methods
1.	AFGEN	Grid generator for van de Vooren airfoil shapes	6.7	✅	✅
		2D: Neumann Boundary Condition
2.	VOR2D	Discrete vortex, thin wing method	11.1.1	🔄	✅
3.	SOR2DC	Constant strength source method	11.2.1	🔄	✅
4.	DUB2DC	Constant strength doublet method	11.2.2	🔄	✅
5.	VOR2DC	Constant strength vortex method	11.2.3	🔄	✅
6.	SOR2DL	Linear strength source method	11.4.1	🔄	✅
7.	VOR2DL	Linear strength vortex method	11.4.2	🔄	✅
		2D: Dirichlet Boundary Condition
8.	PHICD	Constant strength doublet method	11.3.2	⬜	✅
9.	PHICSD	Constant strength source/doublet method	11.3.1	⬜	✅
10.	PHILD	Linear strength doublet method	11.5.2	⬜	✅
11.	PHIQD	Quadratic strength doublet method	11.6.2	⬜	✅
		3D Programs
12.	DUB3DC	Influence of constant strength source/doublet	10.4.1	⬜	✅
13.	VORING	VLM for rectilinear surfaces (with ground effect)	12.3	⬜	✅
14.	PANEL	Constant strength sources and doublets (Dirichlet BC)	12.5	⬜	✅
		Time Dependent Programs
15.	WAKE	Acceleration of flat plate using a lumped vortex	13.7	⬜	✅
16.	UVLM	Unsteady motion of a thin rectangular lifting surface	13.12	⬜	✅

✅ Supported | 🔄 In-work | ⬜ To do | ❌ Skipped

Installation and Usage

Installation

Details to come

Usage

A program can be used as a group of programs or individually.

katzplotkinpy [OPTIONS] {PROGRAM NAME} [PROGRAM OPTIONS]

Python companion to Low Speed Aerodynamics

optional arguments:
  -h, --help            show this help message and exit
  -V, --version         show the version and exit

programs:
  Programs from Appendix D of 'Low Speed Aerodynamics'

  {afgen,vor2d,sor2dc,dub2dc,vor2dc,sor2dl,vor2dl,phicd,phicsd,phild,phiqd,dub3dc,voring,panel,wake,uvlm}
    afgen               Grid generator for van de Vooren airfoil shapes
    vor2d               Discrete vortex, thin wing method
    sor2dc              Constant strength source method
    dub2dc              Constant strength doublet method
    vor2dc              Constant strength vortex method
    sor2dl              Linear strength source method
    vor2dl              Linear strength vortex method
    phicd               Constant strength doublet method
    phicsd              Constant strength source/doublet method
    phild               Linear strength doublet method
    phiqd               Quadratic strength doublet method
    dub3dc              Influence of constant strength source/doublet
    voring              VLM for rectilinear surfaces (with ground effect)
    panel               Constant strength sources and doublets (Dirichlet BC)
    wake                Acceleration of flat plate using a lumped vortex
    uvlm                Unsteady motion of a thin rectangular lifting surface

Source: https://github.com/AlwinW/KatzPlotkinPy

katzplotkinpy afgen [-h] [-v] [-d] [-s]

Grid generator for van de Vooren airfoil shapes

optional arguments:
  -h, --help     show this help message and exit
  -v, --verbose  Increase log verbosity (max -vvv)
  -d, --debug    Show debugging messages (eqv. to -vv, overrides verbosity flag)
  -s, --silent   Suppress log warning and lower messages (overrides other verbosity flags)

Features

In addition to recreating the programs in Python, visualisation and other features have been added.

Contributing

Local Development

1. Clone this repository git clone [email protected]:alwinw/KatzPlotkinPy.git
2. Install the development version pip install -v -e .[<extras>] (-e needs pip >= 22.0 for pyproject.toml) or poetry install --extras "<extras>"
3. Make your changes and commit using commitizen and ensure pre-commit is active
4. When ready, bump the version and run poetry build -v. If deploying, run poetry publish --build -v

Contributors

@Alwin Wang

@cibinjoseph - Fortran WAKE and UVLM transcripts

Acknowledgement

Written consent given by the author to create this python port from the original Fortran code and algorithms presented in Low Speed Aerodynamics 2nd Edition.