Ice Shapes and Their Effects

Published: Sat 04 June 2022
Updated: Sat 18 May 2024

tags: ice shapes

"an irregular shape is developed due to the ice formation, which is ruinous to the aerodynamic efficiency of the airfoils" 1

Figure_14 of NACA-TN-1598. Airspeed loss caused by ice accumulation on 
various components of airplane. Total airspeed loss, 41 miles per hour, 
from 204 to 163 miles per hour.

from NACA-TN-1598 2

Ice Shapes and Their Effects Thread

Summary

This thread will cover ice shapes and the aerodynamic effects of the ice.

This will primarily cover ice shapes on unprotected surfaces.

There are additional publications on ice shapes for deicing systems and propellers that will not be reviewed here.

Publications

NACA-TN-313, "The Formation of Ice upon Airplanes in Flight"

Ice shapes are recorded in flight tests in natural icing conditions.

NACA-TR-446, "Airfoil Section Characteristics as Affected by Protuberances"

"Protuberances" on an airfoil can have significant effects on section lift and drag.

NACA-WR-L-292, "Effects of a Simulated Ice Formation on the Aerodynamic Characteristics of an Airfoil"

Airfoil characteristics with simulated residual ice are measured.

NACA-TN-1598, "Effects of Ice Formations on Airplane Performance in Level Cruising Flight"

Airplane levels effects of icing are measured, and broken into major components.

NACA-TN-2962, "Effect of Ice and Frost Formations on Drag of NACA 651_212 Airfoil for Various Modes of Thermal Ice Protection"

By "discriminating use of the data", drag results can be estimated using NACA-TR-446.

NACA-RM-E53J30, "Effect of Ice Formations on Section Drag of Swept NACA 63A-009 Airfoil with Partial-Span Leading-Edge Slat for Various Modes of Thermal Ice Protection

The drag due to ice on a swept airfoil section is measured.

NACA-TN-4151, "Correlations Among Ice Measurements, Impingement Rates, Icing Conditions and Drag Coefficients for an Unswept NACA 65A004 Airfoil"

Correlations are develop between ice shapes, aerodynamic performance, and icing conditions.

NASA-TM-D-2166, "Prediction of Aerodynamic Penalties Caused by Ice Formations on Various Airfoils"

A more general correlation of drag due to ice on an airfoil is developed.

Wilder, Ramon W.: "Techniques used to determine Artificial Ice Shapes and Ice Shedding, Characteristics of Unprotected Airfoil Surfaces"

Glaze ice shape correlations for two commercial aircraft airfoils are developed.

Conclusions of the "Ice Shapes and Their Effects" thread

Related

The next thread in the series is the Water Drop Evaporation Thread.

Notes


  1. Carroll, Thomas, and McAvoy, William H.: The Formation of Ice upon Airplanes in Flight. NACA-TN-313, 1929. 

  2. Preston, G. Merritt, and Blackman, Calvin C.: Effects of Ice Formations on Airplane Performance in Level Cruising Flight. NACA-TN-1598, 1948. 

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