Analysis and prediction of the low speed flow over a highly swept wing

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2000-11

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Thesis

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Free to read from

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Abstract

A combined experimental and theoretical study is described of the low speed flow over a highly swept and cambered wing that simulates the flow features of a transonic manoeuvre condition. The thesis is divided into two parts: Part I examines the research objectives from a customer perspective, with background information on the project history and funding sources. Since the research is aimed at improving the aerodynamic performance of low observable configurations, stealth technologies are discussed and their implications for combat aircraft wing flows. The management chapter of the thesis then discusses the influences affecting the decision making process for the acquisition of weapon systems in the UK. Part II describes the design of a highly swept and cambered wing that generates strong adverse pressure gradients near the trailing edge, leading to three-dimensional separations in this region. Using surface flow visualisation the nature of these flows is defined, indicating how the position of a separated streamline moves forward with increasing angle of incidence. These observations are confirmed by flow predictions using the SAUNA Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method that solves the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations, employing a two-equation turbulence model. The mechanism of the flow separation is also predicted using CFD, indicating that a separated stream surface reattaches at the wing trailing edge, forming a ‘tunnel’ of separated flow. To the authors knowledge this represents the first time that the main physical features of such a complex three-dimensional separated flow has been modelled using a CFD method. From an evaluation of the CFD methods employed, a design process has been proposed by which a wing designer can determine if wing flows over similar configurations remain attached. Additionally, the velocity magnitudes within parts of the separated shear layers and the wake are obtained using an optical non-intrusive measurement technique and give good agreement with the theory. -

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Github

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