Our study sought to evaluate the differences between a wing design with and without a winglet. We 3D printed 2 models and tested them in a wind tunnel. We collected seven pressure readings from the leading edge to trailing edge at the wing tip on both the base and winglet models. The lift and drag forces were also found. From the pressures, lifts, and drags, we identified that the winglet model decreased the coefficient of lift and decreased the coefficient of drag over the air speed range of 12 m/s to 55 m/s. Thus, there is a performance trade off between the coefficient of lift and drag due to adding the winglet.

For our project, we decided to study the aerodynamic effects of vortex generation as influenced by the presence of a winglet on a wing. This was an area of common ground between both of our interests: we are both car and plane enthusiasts. Thus, the concepts of fluid mechanics for an aero application suit both of our personal interests while providing a strong background for knowledge and applicable testing skills for our careers in the automotive industry.

“I have built and flown RC airplanes since my sophomore year of high school. Truly it is magnificent to see such small aircraft take flight. Understanding the numerical quantities which influence the aerodynamic properties of planes has been a focal point of much of my degree. Thus, I wanted the opportunity to try to couple my fluid mechanics knowledge with my RC pilot experience to help develop my engineering intuition. Understanding the principles of why things behave how they do, and then having the experience of engaging with the flight characteristics enables me to optimize my aircraft for my desired use cases. Moreover, I think that studies in aerodynamics are incredibly crucial toward my understanding of optimization as I continue co-oping at General Motors, and hope to work full-time at GM as a Bumper, Fascia, Grille, Trim Design Release Engineer for the mid-size truck team.”

- Alyssa

“I may not have been nearly as involved with airplanes as Alyssa, but I have a passion for engineering, figuring out how things work, and solving problems. I also have some passion for aircraft. As a young boy, my family and I would go to airshows as well, and I had lots of airplane toys and games growing up. This interest still follows me today but with more depth. Now, I look at planes and think about how amazingly complicated the engineering is to have everything function properly.”

- Michael

Another reason we were very interested in this project is due to the environmental implications it holds. We will touch on the subject deeper in the coming sections, but the core principle of our study is the magnitude of induced drag. Induced drag–simply put–is the drag caused due to lift. One symptom of the induced drag is the vortex generation due to high and low-pressure zones mixing at the wing tips, resulting in vortex generation. This is all useful energy that could be used to generate lift. While we are only testing on a small wing, the influence that a winglet has on the overall drag and lift of a wing can amount to a significant change in the amount of fuel needed to keep a passenger airliner in the air. It is important that we are mindful of optimizing energy usage. We will build two scale models of a wing that is identical in all ways. The only deviation in symmetry will be the addition of a winglet on one of the models. By building these two models and testing them in the wind tunnel, our project seeks to:

1. Analyze the effects a winglet has on the pressure distribution along the top surface of the airfoil;

2. Evaluate the lift and drag force between the two models;

3. Analyze the coefficients of lift and drag between the two models;

4. Conclude the differences between the winglet and base models.

Click here to read the Report.

Click here to view the Presentation.

Click here to view Alyssa's personal essay.

Click here to view Michael's personal essay.