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Virginia Tech

Characterization of Oscillatory Lift in MFC Airfoils

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The purpose of this research is to characterize the response of an airfoil with an oscillatory morphing, Macro-fiber composite (MFC) trailing edge. Correlation of the airfoil lift with the oscillatory input is presented. Modal analysis of the test airfoil and apparatus is used to determine the frequency response function. The effects of static MFC inputs on the FRF are presented and compared to the unactuated airfoil. The transfer function is then used to determine the lift component due to cambering and extract the inertial components from oscillating airfoil. Finally, empirical wind tunnel data is modeled and used to simulate the deflection of airfoil surfaces during dynamic testing conditions. This research serves to combine modal analysis, empirical modeling, and aerodynamic testing of MFC driven, oscillating lift to formulate a model of a dynamic, loaded morphing airfoil.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Mechanical Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Mechanical Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2014

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Lang, Joseph Reagle
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Kochersberger, Kevin B.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Devenport, William J.
  • Tarazaga, Pablo Alberto

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
vt_gsexam:3689
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/50935

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Lang, Joseph Reagle. Characterization of Oscillatory Lift in MFC Airfoils. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/50935