Aerodynamic force breakdown based on vortex force theory

A recently proposed aerodynamic force theory of compressible high Reynolds number flows based on the concept of vortex force is here analyzed. The aerodynamic force is obtained by means of volume and surface integrals within the flow. The theory proposes the decomposition of the aerodynamic force, both lift and drag components, in reversible and irreversible contri- butions. The former is responsible for the lift and lift induced drag, the latter for the profile and wave drag components. The analysis is here concentrated on the following aspects: a) sensitivity of the force decomposition to the choice of the integration domain, b) analysis in the limits of infinite Reynolds number. The verification of the analysis is obtained post-processing inviscid and viscous numerical solutions around airfoils and wings.