Singularities in BIEs for the Laplace equation; Joukowski trailing-edge conjecture revisited (Q5952740)

This study is concerned with steady three-dimensional incompressible potential flows around simply connected domains (e.g. an isolated wing). The authors investigate theoretical issues such as the relationship between Joukowski conjecture and Kutta condition, and identification of those trailing-edge conditions that are necessary to assure the uniqueness of solution. In order to examine the uniqueness, the theoretical analysis is coupled with a numerical one. In particular, the conditions necessary for uniqueness are inferred through numerical experimentation using a piecewise cubic boundary element method for quasi-potential flows. The numerical results obtained allow to select trailing-edge conditions that must be imposed in order to insure the solution to be unique, and to indicate trailing-edge relationships that are automatically satisfied by the solution.