Abstract:
The similarity of the differential equations of the transonic flow
of a gas in two dimensions and of the flow of shallow water led to the
choice of the latter as on experimental method, to determine the pressure
distribution, lift and drag on wedges with total angles of 10o , 15 o and
20 o. The wedges were towed through shallow water and the wave pattern was
determined by the measurement of water depth using a photographic technique.
The results have been compared with theory and with wind tunnel experiments.
For the 10 o and 15 o wedges the trends for a range of angles of incidence
agree with the predictions from transonic small disturbance theory, whereas
those for the largest wedge of 10 o semi-angle indicate that this angle is
too large to expect satisfactory experimental results. The trends are also
similar to those obtained by other workers in a wind tunnel.
