Lift measurement of airfoil AH93-157 from wall pressure distribution

Measurement of the lift coefficient of the AH93-157 airfoil was performed by measuring the static pressure distribution on the wind tunnel walls along the test-section. A correlation was established between the lift coefficient value, determined by integrating the static pressure distribution on the wind tunnel walls, and the lift coefficient value, determined by integrating the static pressure distribution on the airfoil surface. This method is useful for easy and quick determination of the lift coefficient on a simple airfoil model without complicated static pressure tubing from the surface. The measurement was made within a closed test-section. The correlation relationship also eliminates the problem of the finite span and the effect of the side walls. Comparison of pressure distribution on airfoil with CFD was performed as well.