Boundary element simulation of oscillating foil with leading-edge separation

In this thesis, we develop a numerical model to account for the leading-edge separation for the boundary element simulation of the oscillating foil with potential flow assumption. Similar to the trailing-edge separation, the leading-edge separation is modeled by a thin shear layer. Because the leading edge is rounded which is different from the sharp trailing edge, the location for leading-edge separation is extremely difficult to predetermine especially when the flow is unsteady. For unsteady flows, the position of the leading-edge separation may vary with time. However, we present a criterion that is related to the adverse pressure gradient to predict the location for the leading-edge separation. Because of the Lagrange scheme of the wake relaxation in the boundary element simulation, the leading-edge wake sheet goes into or through the thin foil easily. In order to solve the problem of the wake penetration into the foil, we present an algorithm to deal with the penetration of the leading-edge wake into the foil body. We simulate the oscillating foil in heaving-pitching motions with our leading-edge model by the boundary element method to compare with the experiments.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• Dong, Xiaoxia, S.M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Dick K.P. Yue.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/38711

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/38711