Numerical Investigation of Endplates Influence on the Wing in Ground Effect Lift Force

Abstract

Abstract The article presents a comparison of the wing in ground effect magnitude of conceptual WIG craft model main characteristics for a wing with and without endplates which are also known as winglets in regular aircraft. In article, the author describes WIG effect with and WIG craft, which operates on low altitude, smaller than the length of wing chord, mostly above the water reservoir. WIG effect phenomenon is simple. The first aircraft needs to fly at adequate altitude, with a smaller distance between lower airfoil surface and ground static pressure rises, leading to rising of lift force. The main advantage of the wing in ground effect craft on regular aircraft is a much higher lift to drag ratio, also this phenomenon provides to drop in specific fuel consumption of aircraft and allows flying with heavier cargo due to higher lift force. Characteristics present in the article were designated from simulations, which were conducted in Ansys Fluent software. Results obtained for a wing with endplate in numerical analysis shows the superiority of this approach. Endplates provide to increase WIG effect by a decrease in induced drag through the move out vertices from the wing tips, which are made by differential pressure above and under the wing. As winglets in regular aircraft, endplates provide to save fuel. WIG craft does not need airports so it could be a cheap alternative for modern aircraft.