Investigation of Heaving-pitching Airfoil in Ground Proximity using Large Eddy Simulations

William, Y.  E.; Kanagalingam, S.; Mohamed, M. H.

doi:10.47176/jafm.18.11.3448

Investigation of Heaving-pitching Airfoil in Ground Proximity using Large Eddy Simulations

Document Type : Regular Article

Authors

¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore

² School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

³ Department of Aerospace and Geodesy, Technical University of Munich, Germany

⁴ Mechanical Power Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering EL-Mattaria, Helwan University, P.O. Box: 11718, Cairo, Egypt

⁵ Mechanical Engineering Dept., College of Engineering and Islamic Architecture, Umm Al-Qura University, P.O. 5555, Makkah, Saudi Arabia

10.47176/jafm.18.11.3448

Abstract

This study examines the aerodynamics of a wing-in-ground (WIG) airfoil subjected to heaving (plunging) & pitching motion, specifically examining the distinctions in flow between transitional and turbulent states, which are essential for assessing its aerodynamic efficiency. The numerical investigation employs a validated Large Eddy Simulation (LES) model to evaluate WIG aerodynamics for a symmetrical airfoil. By analyzing variables such as pitching angle, phase shift angle, and pitching-to-heaving (PTH) ratios, the study explores their effects on thrust, lift, and drag. Findings indicate that adjusting critical heaving & pitching parameters significantly improves aerodynamic performance in turbulent flow, with thrust increasing 4 to 10-fold compared to transitional flow. Greater thrust and lift were observed in proximity to the ground. Modifying the phase-shift angle, pitching angle, and PTH led to thrust improvements of 64.9%, 2.9 times, and 4 times, respectively. The enhanced aerodynamic properties near the ground are attributed to improved flow consistency and decreased separation during heaving & pitching in turbulent flow.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Flow Control

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