Numerical Study on the Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Three-Dimensional Power-Augmented Ram Wing in Ground Effect

Abstract

An investigation through numerical experiments was conducted to determine the aerodynamic characteristics of a power-augmented ram wing in ground effect (PAR-WIG). The Navier-Stokes solver used was a MUSCL-type third-order accurate upwind differencing, finite-volume, pseudo-compressibility code based on a multi-block grid approach. In order to understand the mechanism of the power-augmentation effect, two boundary conditions on the ground were considered : (1) a moving belt ground plate condition ; and (2) a fixed ground plate condition corresponding to the wind-tunnel tests. Thrust was represented using prescribed body-force distributions. The flow around a rectangular wing with end-plates and propellers which were placed forward of the wing and blew under the wing, were computed by the solver with different trailing edge heights. Results were compared with experimental data and the aerodynamic characteristics were discussed.