Low Reynolds Number Laminar Separation Bubble Control Using a Backward Facing Step

<p>The problem of a laminar separation bubble on the upper surface of a 9.5% thick airfoil operated at low Reynolds number (R_N = 380,000) was investigated experimentally.</p> <p>An unmodified LRN-010 airfoil and a modified LRN-010 airfoil with a backward facing step on its upper surface were built and tested in the ERAU wind tunnel in order to obtain pressure distributions and drag for different angles of attack.</p> <p>Results were found to be in good agreement with the results obtained from the XFOIL CFD code. It was concluded that the step cutout modification improves the airfoil’s lift-to-drag ratio at low angles of attack by tripping the boundary layer and decreasing the size of the laminar separation bubble. For higher angles of attack, the step cutout degraded the performance of the airfoil.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - Open Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Graduate Studies

Year

1993

Author dc:creator

• Rothan, Dominique

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jose Rodriguez
• Tej Gupta
• L.L. Narayanaswami

• laminar separation bubble
• airfoil
• Reynolds number
• backward facing step
• Aerospace Engineering

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.erau.edu/db-theses/232

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.erau.edu:db-theses-1255