Airfoil question about camber and thickness

In summary: Drag increases with the fourth power of the shape's perimeter. So for a round airfoil, the drag would be four times as high as for a square airfoil of the same area. The drag of a triangular airfoil would be eight times as high as for a square airfoil of the same area.
  • #1
Fawzi Da
11
0
Hello everyone!

I wanted to ask if the wing thickness is the same meaning as camber?

Thanks in advance
 
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  • #2
No, they are two different parameters. Camber describes the curvature of the airfoil. Thickness is exactly what it sounds like. Thus, you can have a thick, low camber airfoil (like this one: http://avstop.com/ac/basichelicopterhandbook/2.jpg ), a thin, low-camber airfoil (http://static.rcgroups.net/forums/a...b-3dhs_extra_shp_airfoil_01c.jpg?d=1224138433), a thick, high camber airfoil (http://ec.europa.eu/research/transport/images/projects/44_1.jpg ) or a thin, high camber airfoil (http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=138520&d=1289149584).
 
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  • #3
Fawzi Da said:
Hello everyone!

I wanted to ask if the wing thickness is the same meaning as camber?

Thanks in advance
The attached image shows a typical cambered airfoil:

airfoil-parts.jpg

​
Airfoil sections are typically defined with no camber, such that the ordinates of the section above and below the chord line are symmetrical. Such an airfoil typically requires a non-zero angle of attack (AOA) in order to generate lift. Transforming a symmetrical airfoil by applying a camber line typically produces a new airfoil shape which can generate lift at zero AOA.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airfoil

Different airfoil shapes and camber lines are cataloged by various organizations like NASA (successor to the NACA) and others.
 
  • #4
Thank you all for replying. I appreciate it, I have another question for an assignment I'm working on but can find the search that I exactly need. My question is why is an airfoil thicker in the middle section?

Thank you again
 
  • #5
Where the airfoil is thickest depends on the air foil. Laminar airfoils tend to have the thickest part further back than coventional airfoils. On conventional airfoils, the thickest part is neart the front (about 1/4th to 1/3rd wing chord behind trailing edge). On laminar airfoils, the thickest part is near the middle.
 
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  • #6
The "why" though is essentially to reduce drag while maximizing lift. For a given cross sectional area, a teardrop shape is the lowest drag.
 

FAQ: Airfoil question about camber and thickness

1. What is an airfoil?

An airfoil is a specially shaped surface, usually in the form of a wing or blade, that is designed to provide lift and control for an aircraft or other object moving through air.

2. What is camber?

Camber refers to the curvature or shape of an airfoil. It is the difference in length between the upper and lower surfaces of the airfoil.

3. How does camber affect the performance of an airfoil?

The amount of camber on an airfoil determines the lift and drag characteristics of the airfoil. More camber typically results in higher lift and more drag, while less camber reduces lift and drag.

4. What is the difference between camber and thickness?

Camber refers to the curvature of the airfoil, while thickness refers to the distance between the upper and lower surfaces of the airfoil. Camber affects lift and drag, while thickness affects the strength and stiffness of the airfoil.

5. How is camber and thickness measured in an airfoil?

Camber and thickness are typically measured as a percentage of the chord length, which is the distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the airfoil. For example, an airfoil with a camber of 10% and a thickness of 12% would have a chord length of 100 units, a camber of 10 units, and a thickness of 12 units.

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