Free stream turbulence effect on the flow structure over the finite span straight wing

Abstract

Flow visualization tests have been performed to examine the structure of the near-wall flow over a low-aspect ratio straight wing installed at various angles of attack b and chord Reynolds number Re_c = U c/v = 1.76 ×10^5 . The experiments were carried out at two free-stream turbulence levels, b = 0.1% and b = 1%, the latter one having been achieved using a baffling grid. To visualize the flow, termochromic cholesteric liquid crystals and digital processing of video images were used. At the low turbulence level and b = 27°, a flow stall on the lee side of the wing was observed, with a pair of large-scale vortices rotating in the wing plane. Simultaneously, no vortex structures were observed on the windward wing surface. It was found the flow patterns on either side of the wing significantly changed with increasing free-stream turbulence level. A separation bubble appeared near the leading edge on the lee side of the airfoil at b = 1%, and large-scale stationary longitudinal vortices originated over the wing windward surface. The number and sizes of the longitudinal structures were found to be dependent on the angle of attack.