Aerofoil geometry - to spline or not?

Novak Elliott

Hi everyone,

I'm going to be looking at flow over a streamlined body, not too dissimilar to an aerofoil except that it isn't designed for lift but instead to minimise drag. I have an equation for the cross-sectional curves but I'm not sure of the best way to generate the geometry. A curve must be approximated by a finite number of points and the choices available are either a spline fit which uses polynomials or a linear fit which involves simply joining all of the points with straight lines. I can ensure vertical tangency at the leading edge using either approach but I'm not sure which method is most appropriate. Both of these curve approximations will affect the boundary layer and separation point.

Any suggestions?

Novak.