A method for evaluation of aerodynamic lift and drag based on statistical mechanics

Abstract

Despite intensive applications of Navier–Stokes equations in computational-fluid-dynamics (CFD) to understand aerodynamics, fundamental questions remain open since the statistical nature of discrete air molecules with random thermal motion is not considered in CFD. Here, we introduce an approach based on statistical mechanics, termed as “volume-element” method, for numerical evaluation of aerodynamic lift and drag. Pressure and friction as a function of angle of attack have been obtained for canonical flat-plate airfoils, and the method is applicable to convex-shape airfoils directly and viable for concave-shape airfoils if combined with Monte Carlo simulations. This approach opens a door not only for aerodynamic applications, but also for further applications in Boson or Fermi gases.