Aerodynamic performance and energy modeling of a quadcopter drone at different RPM: an experimental and CFD investigation of future design UAVs

Mehmet Akif Kartal and Ahmet Feyzioğlu

International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies, 2025, vol. 20, 2026-2039

Abstract: Quadcopter drones, with their unique rotor configuration, represent a significant advancement in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This study investigates the aerodynamic performance and energy modeling of a quadcopter propeller through a combined experimental and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach, examining its behavior across a range of 15 000 to 30 000 RPM. Our findings indicate a direct correlation between propeller speed and aerodynamic performance, with velocity increasing from 1.658 × 102 m/s at 15 000 RPM to 3.316 × 102 m/s at 30 000 RPM. Similarly, pressure rises from 2.118 × 104 Pa to 4.830 × 104 Pa. The analysis also revealed that maximum turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) reached 2.024 × 104 m2/s2 at the propeller tips, decreasing with distance from the tip. Increased turbulence results in energy losses, highlighting the critical need for optimized flow control and blade design. Future research should focus on exploring low-friction coatings and active flow control mechanisms to achieve a more favorable pressure and velocity distribution.

Keywords: quadcopter; propeller design; CFD; pre-stress analysis; aerodynamic performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:oup:ijlctc:v:20:y:2025:i::p:2026-2039.

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