Aerodynamic performance and shedding characteristics on a swept-back wing

Abstract

A NACA 0012 finite swept-back wing with a sweep-back angle of 15° was utilized to investigate the effects of angle of attack (α) and the chord Reynolds number (Rec) on the vortex shedding and aerodynamic coefficients. A hot-wire anemometer was applied to measure the vortex-shedding frequency. The projected Strouhal number (Std) at various angles of attack was determined and discussed. The relationship between Std and oris regressed as: Std = -0.0008 α+ 0.209, for 22° < a < 90°. Four characteristic surface-flow patterns: separation bubble, leading-edge bubble, bubble burst, and turbulent separation were classified by changing α and Re. The behavior of surface-flow structures significantly affects the lift, drag, and moment coefficients. The lift coefficient (C L) increases with α in the separation bubble and leading-edge bubble regimes. The maximum increase rate of CL with respect to α (d(CL)/dα) is 1.52 π/rad. Occurring in the leadingedge bubble regime. However, the maximum increase rate of drag coefficient (CD) with respect to α(d(CD)/dα) is 0.49 π/rad. Occurring in the bubble-burst regime. The steep-drop of moment coefficient at stall in the unswept-wings is not observed in the swept-back wings.