Ground proximity effect on the flow over NACA 4412 multi-element airfoil in clean configuration

Abstract

The paper presents the influence of ground distance on aerodynamic characteristics of the flow over NACA 4412 multi-element airfoil in clean configuration. The angle of deflection was kept constant throughout the computations. Finite volume method was used for the grid generation and the numerical calculation. Further investigation suggests the best range of angle of attack where the aerodynamic performance of the airfoil increases in the presence of ground. Furthermore, the condition of flow separation jeopardizing the airfoil performance appeared. It was found that at certain range of angle of attack, the cushion of high pressure at the pressure side of the airfoil is insufficient to compensate the influence of the separation. This work shed insight on the important parameters that need to be taken into account in the operational of an airplane.