A variational formulation of the adjoint Kutta condition in potential flow
arXiv:2606.06937 · doi:10.1016/j.aml.2026.110027
Abstract
We give a variational formulation of the continuous adjoint Kutta condition for two-dimensional subcritical potential flow, with emphasis on the Kutta condition and the role of the wake. We show that the adjoint Kutta condition can be imposed by a penalty term evaluated at the trailing edge, with the corresponding Lagrange multiplier determined by stationarity of the Lagrangian with respect to circulation, and that a wake treatment is not required. Some of the implications of these results for adjoint consistency are also briefly discussed.
5 pages. Accepted for publication in Applied Mathematics Letters. Initial version submitted to journal (pre-refereeing/pre-peer review)