Software implementation of the cascade calculation method for propeller thrust

Software implementation of the cascade calculation method for propeller thrust

Sukhov A.D. (IPMech RAS, Moscow, Russia); ISP RAS, Moscow, Russia)
Petrov A.G. (IPMech RAS, Moscow, Russia)

Abstract

A software implementation of a multilevel method for calculating the force characteristics of propellers based on the generalized Zhukovsky profile and a cascade model of blade interaction is presented. The developed algorithm allows for the sequential calculation of aerodynamic characteristics from a single profile to a complete propeller blade, taking into account flow separation and the mutual influence of profiles in the grid. The method is based on an analytical solution to the problem of flow around a single profile without separation and a numerical scheme for determining separation points using the Kochin-Loitsansky criterion. Both similarity methods and a boundary element scheme with exponential convergence are used to calculate profile grids. The complete propeller is calculated using the cascade method with integration of aerodynamic characteristics along the blade radius. The developed software package reduces calculation time by approximately 10,000 times compared to CFD methods. The implemented modular architecture allows the results obtained to be used in optimization design systems and as input data for models such as the Actuator Line Model.

Keywords

propeller; aerodynamic coefficients; Zhukovsky profile; cascade method; grid method; flow separation; numerical methods; software implementation; high-speed calculation; boundary layer.

Edition

Proceedings of the Institute for System Programming, vol. 38, issue 3, part 4, 2026, pp. 207-216

ISSN 2220-6426 (Online), ISSN 2079-8156 (Print).

DOI: 10.15514/ISPRAS-2026-38(3)-56

For citation

Sukhov A.D., Petrov A.G. Software implementation of the cascade calculation method for propeller thrust. Proceedings of the Institute for System Programming, vol. 38, issue 3, part 4, 2026, pp. 207-216 DOI: 10.15514/ISPRAS-2026-38(3)-56.

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