Influence of Dimples on the Aerodynamics of Blended Wing Body Airframe: A Computational Study

Blended-Wing-Body (BWB) aircraft designs have attracted considerable attention due to their potential for enhancing aerodynamic efficiency and fuel economy. This study investigates the integration of dimples on BWB airframes to further improve their aerodynamic performance. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were used to characterize turbulent airflow and estimate the associated aerodynamic forces. The k-ω Shear-Stress Transport (SST) turbulence model was employed to solve the underlying equations. The objective is to investigate the impact of various dimple locations on the suction side of the BWB wing. The simulations were performed at the free stream velocity of 50m/s over the angle of attack ranging from -2° to 6°. The evaluation involved analysing the drag coefficient (CD), lift coefficient (CL) and lift-to-drag (L/D) ratio. The results suggest that in optimal conditions, a BWB featuring a dimpled surface could achieve a reduction in CD of up to 3.04% compared to an unmodified surface, while maintaining lift performance. The results illustrate the feasibility of integrating dimples as a passive flow control technique to enhance BWB aerodynamic performance