Aerodynamic force breakdown: Thermodynamic vs Vortex-force methods

The breakdown of the aerodynamic force is an important topic for the aerodynamic designer. The information provided by straightforward surface stress integration near field method are not sufficient, therefore, the interest in the development of far field methods arised. In this article a review of the activities carried out at the University of Naples is provided, in particular showing the potentiality and the limitations of two classes of algorithms: the thermodynamic and the vortex-force methods. Some applications and comparisons on a non-conventional wing configuration (box wing) and on an advanced turbo-prop wing-body configuration are presented.