ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a general boundary integral equation methodology for the solution of potential compressible flows around objects moving in arbitrary motion, with applications to aerodynamics of aeroplanes, helicopter rotors, and propellers. The formulation is given in terms of the velocity potential, for which an explicit treatment of the wake is required; a discussion of the formulation for the wake transport is included. The direct approach is used, i.e. the unknown is the velocity potential itself. The chapter includes a review of the literature in the field, the mathematical foundations of potential flows, an introductory section on incompressible flows, and a formulation for compressible flows with the derivation of a boundary integral equation for the velocity potential equation in a frame of reference moving in arbitrary motion. The formulation is then specialised for the particular cases of uniform translation (aeroplanes), uniform rotation (helicopter rotors in hover), and uniform
helicoidal motion (propellers). Numerical results for several cases are included.
