Planform and Camber Effects on the Aerodynamics of Low-Reynolds-Number Wings
Abstract
This work is a computational study of the aerodynamics of a wing in a constant freestream at angles of attack ranging from 0 to 45⁰ and an extremely low Reynolds number of 500. Four wings were studied: rectangular with and without camber and semi-ellipse with and without camber. Lift and drag coefficients were determined and their trends were explained, including a lift coefficient peak at ~20 for all geometries investigated. Flow features were also identified and explained. The dominant flow feature was the tip vortex, which moves streamlines rootward and forms a spiral vortex at high angles of attack for rectangular wings. Semi-ellipse wings also have a spiral vortex at higher angles of attack. Surface stream traces were also investigated and showed complex vortex-dominated flow patterns that depended on plan form shape and angle of attack
Recommended Citation
T. A. Swanson and K. M. Isaac, "Planform and Camber Effects on the Aerodynamics of Low-Reynolds-Number Wings," Journal of Aircraft, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Jan 2010.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.2514/1.45921
Department(s)
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0021-8669
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2010 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Jan 2010
