Prediction and experimental evaluation of planar wing spanloads for minimum drag

Optimum wing spanloads were evaluated by comparing wing performance values from theoretical predictions and experimental wind-tunnel measurements. The optimum spanloads were found using a Lagrange multiplier optimization method. They were designed with a prescribed wing-root bending moment constraint with and without incorporating viscous representation. Wind-tunnel models were created based on the optimum spanloads and the experiments were conducted to evaluate the changes in drag as the design constraints differed. The results indicate that an optimized spanload having equal lift and wing-root bending moment to that of an elliptically-loaded wing can experience significant decreases in drag. Comparisons between the theoretical predictions and the wind-tunnel models were made using experimental 5-hole probe wake-survey measurements, which were reduced into total lift and drag, as well as spanwise lift distributions.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Aerospace Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2016

Author dc:creator

• Wroblewski, Gabrielle E

Contributors dc:contributor

• Ansell, Phillip J.

• multidisciplinary design optimization
• wake survey method

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2016 Gabrielle Wroblewski

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/90675

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/90675