Computational Analysis of Aerodynamic Performance in Conventional and Bio-Inspired Tubercled Aircraft Wings

This research undertakes a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of the aerodynamic effectiveness of a standard NACA 2412 wing and one of its modifications, which is bio-inspired and has a tubercled leading edge. Fluent steady-state simulations with 20 m/s and 30 m/s freestream velocities and a range of -6° to 24° angles of attack were analyzed through the k–ω SST turbulence model. Results show that although the conventional wing outperforms the modified wing at lower to moderate angles of attack, the tubercled configuration significantly improves post-stall performance, leading to delayed stall and drag reduction of up to 45% at high angles of attack. Unlike the baseline wing, the tubercled wing’s lift-to-drag ratio surpasses 20 even after a 15° angle of attack at 30 m/s. Structural studies show the altered pressure distributions resulted in a 20–21% increase in maximum deformation. The results reinforce the aerodynamic advantages of tubercled leading edges in agility and stall resistance, while showing the need for aeroelastic design optimization to control excessive deformation.