Aerodynamic Assessment of Leading-edge Tubercles on Variable-Camber NACA X410 Airfoils: A CFD Study

Md. Jubayer Hasan  Jim; Zannatul Mim; Nusrat Nawar Ahsan

doi:10.38032/scse.2026.4.154

Authors

Md. Jubayer Hasan Jim Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi-6204, Bangladesh
Zannatul Mim Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi-6204, Bangladesh
Nusrat Nawar Ahsan Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi-6204, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38032/scse.2026.4.154

Keywords:

Airfoil, Tubercles, Aerodynamics, Lift-to-drag ratio, Numerical simulation

Abstract

The humpback whale represents a key example of bio-inspired engineering, with leading-edge tubercles on its flippers enhancing hydrodynamic efficiency and maneuverability. Inspired by this natural adaptation, the present study examines the aerodynamic implications of incorporating leading-edge tubercles into airfoil designs. NACA X410 airfoils (NACA 1410, NACA 2410, and NACA 4410) were selected for modification with leading-edge tubercles and then investigated through numerical simulations. The airfoils had a chord and span length of 1 m, with tubercles having a wavelength of 200 mm and an amplitude of 25 mm. A three-dimensional steady-state analysis was performed using the viscous SST k-ω turbulence model in ANSYS Fluent. The tubercled NACA 4410 exhibited the highest lift-to-drag ratio among all tubercled profiles. Velocity and pressure contours were analyzed to illustrate the distribution of positive and negative pressures, as well as flow velocity around the airfoils. Further research can be conducted on this topic by exploring varying camber sizes.

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