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Research Objectives
To understand the physics behind unsteady flow phenomena. To develop a low-order theoretical model for use in unsteady aerodynamic prediction and design. To phenomenologically extend inviscid airfoil theory to account for Leading Edge Vortex dominated and separated flows. To apply theoretical model towards the study of aerodynamics involved in insect flight, rotorcraft and wind turbines .
Results
Motion Kinematics
A Pitch-up, Hold, Pitch-down motion is considered. Flate plate airfoil is used and pivot is taken to be the leading edge. Two variations of this motion - Amplitudes of 25 and 45 deg are used. These cases are moderately and strongly LEV influenced respectively. Force histories from theory are compared against those from experiment and CFD. The flowfield from theory is compared against vorticity plots from from CFD and dye flow images from experiment at four critical points in the flow. O - Onset of separation, H1 - Start of hold, H2 - End of Hold, D - Detachment of LEV
60 50 40 (deg) 30 20 10 0 0 1 2 3 t
*
Force Comparison
4
Exp CFD Theory
40 30
Exp
CFD
Theory
60
3 2
l
4
C 20
(deg)
40 (deg) 20
1 0 1 2 O 0 1 2 H1 3 t* H2 D 4 5 6 7
10 0
0
10 20
0 O 0 1 2 D H1 3 t* H2 4 5 6 7
20
25 deg case
45 deg case
Flow Comparison
Point O Point H1 Point H2 Point D
Experiment
CFD
Critical LESP
=30o
Theory
25 deg case
Point O Point D Point H1 Point H2
Challenges
Classical unsteady theories used in aeroelasticity such as Theodorsens, assume small amplitude motion and planar wakes. These are clearly violated in MAV and insect flight. Leading edge vortices, which are used extensively by insects to achieve high lift are not modeled in these theories. Advances in experiment and computation have enabled the detailed study of unsteady aerodynamic phenomena - However, an approach for quick prediction and design is still forthcoming.
Experiment
CFD
Theory
45 deg case
Kiran Ramesh - 3314 Engineering Building III Box 7910, Raleigh, NC 27695 - kramesh2@ncsu.edu