A panel method based on special interpolation functions (Q1081430)

The present paper deals with an unconventional panel method which analyses certain flow problems that are not usually solved by conventional panel methods. Two dimensional potential flows along surfaces with slope discontinuities are considered. These flows are known to present many difficulties when their solutions are attempted using panel methods. The present method overcomes the difficulties by a rational choice of the interpolation functions based on complex potential theory. Section 2 deals with general panel method formulations. The present formulation is dealt with in section 3. Section 4 presents some results from computational experiments using the present formulation. They indicate that the present method gives solutions close to analytical solutions. Hence the method is claimed to be a preferable choice.