Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

CFD Investigation of Multi-element Airfoils for WingSails

Chandhavar, Shreyas Gowrishankar LU (2026) In LUP MVKM05 20261
Department of Energy Sciences
Abstract
Wind-assisted ship propulsion has gained increasing attention as a means of reducing fuel consumption and emissions in the maritime sector. This thesis studies the aerodynamic performance of an adjustable rigid wingsail designed to provide auxiliary thrust for ships. The wingsail consists of a NACA 0018-based main airfoil with a movable flap, where the flap deflection, hinge position, and gap between the main airfoil and flap can be varied. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations had been performed in OpenFOAM using the SST k–ω turbulence model to evaluate how these design parameters influence aerodynamic behaviour and propulsion performance.

The results showed that increasing flap deflection enhanced lift generation by... (More)
Wind-assisted ship propulsion has gained increasing attention as a means of reducing fuel consumption and emissions in the maritime sector. This thesis studies the aerodynamic performance of an adjustable rigid wingsail designed to provide auxiliary thrust for ships. The wingsail consists of a NACA 0018-based main airfoil with a movable flap, where the flap deflection, hinge position, and gap between the main airfoil and flap can be varied. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations had been performed in OpenFOAM using the SST k–ω turbulence model to evaluate how these design parameters influence aerodynamic behaviour and propulsion performance.

The results showed that increasing flap deflection enhanced lift generation by increasing the effective camber of the airfoil, although this was generally accompanied by increased drag. The hinge position influenced the aerodynamic response by altering the effective flap length, while the investigated gap configurations increased drag and did not improve overall aerodynamic efficiency compared with the plain-airfoil baseline. Analysis of wingsail orientation demonstrated that maximum lift does not necessarily correspond to maximum propulsive benefit, as both lift and drag contribute to thrust depending on the apparent wind direction and sail orientation. By resolving the aerodynamic forces into thrust and side-force components, operating conditions that provide favourable propulsive performance were identified. The outcomes contribute to the understanding and optimisation of adjustable rigid wingsails for wind-assisted ship propulsion. (Less)
Popular Abstract
Large ships today still rely heavily on fuel-burning engines, despite growing interest in cleaner alternatives such as wind-assisted propulsion. This thesis investigated a rigid wingsail, a wing-shaped structure mounted on a ship that uses wind to help propel the vessel and reduce the workload on the main engine. The study explored whether adding a movable flap to the wingsail could improve its performance and make wind energy a more effective means of assisting ship propulsion.

Using computer simulations, the research showed that both the flap position and the small gap required between the flap and the main sail can influence how effectively the wingsail interacts with the wind. While certain configurations increased the helpful... (More)
Large ships today still rely heavily on fuel-burning engines, despite growing interest in cleaner alternatives such as wind-assisted propulsion. This thesis investigated a rigid wingsail, a wing-shaped structure mounted on a ship that uses wind to help propel the vessel and reduce the workload on the main engine. The study explored whether adding a movable flap to the wingsail could improve its performance and make wind energy a more effective means of assisting ship propulsion.

Using computer simulations, the research showed that both the flap position and the small gap required between the flap and the main sail can influence how effectively the wingsail interacts with the wind. While certain configurations increased the helpful forces generated by the sail, they could also introduce unwanted effects, making careful design important. The findings show how simulations can be used to evaluate different wingsail designs before real-world implementation, supporting the the development of cleaner and more energy-efficient shipping technologies. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Chandhavar, Shreyas Gowrishankar LU
supervisor
organization
course
MVKM05 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Wind-assisted ship propulsion, Rigid wingsail, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), OpenFOAM, NACA 0018, Hinged flap, Aerodynamic performance.
publication/series
LUP
report number
ISRN LUTMDN/TMHP-26/5688-SE
ISSN
0282-1990
language
English
id
9233134
date added to LUP
2026-06-11 12:03:23
date last changed
2026-06-11 12:03:23
@misc{9233134,
  abstract     = {{Wind-assisted ship propulsion has gained increasing attention as a means of reducing fuel consumption and emissions in the maritime sector. This thesis studies the aerodynamic performance of an adjustable rigid wingsail designed to provide auxiliary thrust for ships. The wingsail consists of a NACA 0018-based main airfoil with a movable flap, where the flap deflection, hinge position, and gap between the main airfoil and flap can be varied. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations had been performed in OpenFOAM using the SST k–ω turbulence model to evaluate how these design parameters influence aerodynamic behaviour and propulsion performance.

The results showed that increasing flap deflection enhanced lift generation by increasing the effective camber of the airfoil, although this was generally accompanied by increased drag. The hinge position influenced the aerodynamic response by altering the effective flap length, while the investigated gap configurations increased drag and did not improve overall aerodynamic efficiency compared with the plain-airfoil baseline. Analysis of wingsail orientation demonstrated that maximum lift does not necessarily correspond to maximum propulsive benefit, as both lift and drag contribute to thrust depending on the apparent wind direction and sail orientation. By resolving the aerodynamic forces into thrust and side-force components, operating conditions that provide favourable propulsive performance were identified. The outcomes contribute to the understanding and optimisation of adjustable rigid wingsails for wind-assisted ship propulsion.}},
  author       = {{Chandhavar, Shreyas Gowrishankar}},
  issn         = {{0282-1990}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{LUP}},
  title        = {{CFD Investigation of Multi-element Airfoils for WingSails}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}