Available at: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/3044
Date of Award
6-2025
Degree Name
MS in Aerospace Engineering
Department/Program
Aerospace Engineering
College
College of Engineering
Advisor
David Marshall
Advisor Department
Aerospace Engineering
Advisor College
College of Engineering
Abstract
This thesis presents a series of additions to a Python based integral boundary layer software library known as PyBL. This library provides the user the means to calculate boundary layer properties using different models for boundary layer behavior. The additions feature the integration of a set of new laminar and turbulent integral boundary layer models originally developed for and currently found in the program XFOIL. These models were modified to fit the ODE solver method at the foundation of PyBL. A new method for PyBL that stitches a laminar and turbulent solution together has been developed to improve the ability to couple laminar and turbulent models, which previously had to be done manually. Furthermore, a velocity treatment scheme was implemented for use with inviscid velocity profiles, in an attempt to address solution convergence issues in PyBL. This work has been verified using a number of resources, ranging from comparisons to analytical solutions, empirical data, and results from XFOIL. The new laminar and turbulent closure solutions integrated into PyBL demonstrated their closer alignment to XFOIL results, which provides confidence in their implementation, as now these models can be utilized for inviscid flow problems beyond airfoils.