A review of airfoil trailing edge noise and its prediction

Abstract

If technology such as aircraft, submarines and wind turbines are to further reduce their noise emissions, then a better understanding of airfoil trailing edge noise is required. This paper will discuss the physical causes of trailing edge noise and then review the methodologies used over the past couple of decades to model and to estimate trailing edge noise. A comprehensive reference list is given for readers wishing to learn more about this important area of aeroacoutsics. It is shown that one of the major restrictions to further development of prediction methods is a lack of suitable experimental data for validation purposes. Additionally, new turbulence models are needed to improve noise prediction, especially at high frequency.