The mean pressure distribution on the free end of a square prism

Abstract

In this experimental study, the mean pressure distribution was measured on the free end of a surface-mounted finite-height square prism for different aspect ratios, incidence angles, and boundary layer thicknesses. The Reynolds number based on the width of the prism was kept constant at Re = 6.5 × 104, the aspect ratio of the prism was changed from AR = 1 to 11, and the incidence angle was varied in small increments from α = 0° to 45°. The thickness of the boundary layer on the ground plane relative to the prism width was either δ/D = 0.8 or δ/D = 2.6, representing a thin or thick boundary layer. When the prism was oriented at α = 0°, distinct mean pressure distributions were observed for prisms nearly or completely immersed in the boundary layer, and also for the very slender high-aspect ratio prisms. The mean normal force coefficient steadily increased with the aspect ratio but its value decreased in the presence of the thicker boundary layer. When the prism was oriented at α = 45°, strong pressure gradients were encountered near the leading edges for prisms nearly or completely immersed in the boundary layer, and the conical vortex angles increased with aspect ratio. For intermediate aspect ratios, these pressure gradients weakened and the vortex angles became insensitive to AR. When the incidence angle was between 0° and 45°, the asymmetric mean pressure distribution meant that the conical vortices were located at different angles. The position of the conical vortex located more centrally above the free end was more sensitive to changes in aspect ratio. The influence of the boundary layer on the vortex angles was more pronounced for smaller aspect ratios. In addition, the behaviour of the normal force coefficient with incidence became more complex for higher aspect ratios.