Role of secondary shear-layer vortices in the development of flow asymmetry on a cone–cylinder body at high angles of incidence

Abstract

Vortex asymmetry develops on slender bodies at high angles of incidence, leading to large side-forces and yaw moments even in symmetrical flight conditions. In the present experimental study, the flow over a slender body consisting of a conical forebody and a cylindrical aftbody is studied at high angles of incidence at low speeds. Experiments consisted of force measurements using a six-component strain gauge balance and velocity field using Particle Image Velocimetry. Results show that a pair of counter-rotating vortices develop nearly symmetrically over a polished cone but become asymmetric over the cylinder. Several secondary shear-layer vortices develop at the cone–cylinder junction and over the cylinder due to sharp turning angle, surface imperfections, and joints. These secondary shear-layer vortices then merge with the primary vortex pair, leading to the flow asymmetry. The flow characteristics and side-forces vary significantly when the conical forebody is rotated about its axis of symmetry and set to different azimuthal positions. The results strongly suggest that a change in the geometry at the cone–cylinder junction and surface imperfections present on the cylindrical aftbody play an important role in determining the overall flow-asymmetry and the magnitude of side-forces generated on the slender body at high angles of incidence.