Three-dimensional laminar-separation bubbles on a cambered thin wing with an aspect ratio of 6 at a Reynolds number of 60,000 have been investigated by solving the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations. The k - ω shear-stress transport γ - R e θ turbulence-transition model is used to account for the effect of transition on the laminar separation-bubble development. The aerodynamic forces are compared with the experimental data available for validation. The laminar-separation bubble is shown to evolve in its shape and dimension in both chord and span directions with increasing incidence due to its interaction with the wing-tip flow and the trailing-edge separation. The strongest three-dimensional effects are found at a moderate incidence of 6 deg and at higher incidences beyond 10 deg. Within the incidence range, the two-dimensional airfoil results are not reproduced at any of the span locations, including the symmetry plane, in the three-dimensional wing case. Generally, the chordwise development of the three-dimensional laminar-separation-bubble at the symmetry plane is delayed as compared with the two-dimensional laminar-separation bubble. Another noticeable point is the association of a sudden increase in lift-curve slope due to abrupt expansion of the laminar-separation bubble at a certain incidence. This phenomenon is observed in both the two- and three-dimensional cases, but at different incidences.


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    Title :

    Three-Dimensional Laminar-Separation Bubble on a Cambered Thin Wing at Low Reynolds Numbers


    Contributors:
    Chen, Z. J. (author) / Qin, N. (author) / Nowakowski, A. F. (author)

    Published in:

    Journal of Aircraft ; 50 , 1 ; 152-163


    Publication date :

    2013-01-01




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English