Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-30T04:45:12.302Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Unsteady aerodynamics: retrospect and prospect

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

D. G. Mabey*
Affiliation:
Formerly DERA Bedford and Aeronautics DepartmentImperial College, London, UK

Abstract

This paper reviews some current problems in unsteady aerodynamics and discusses some future challenges. The emphasis is on problems associated with separated flows, such as buffeting and limit cycle oscillations. Suggestions are made to indicate how experimental facilities (such as cryogenic windtunnels) and computational fluid dynamics might be exploited to address these questions.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1999 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Lee, B.H.K., et al. Windtunnel investigation of tail buffet on the CF-18 aircraft, Paper 1, AGARD CP 483, 1990.Google Scholar
2. Mabey, D.G. Measurements of fin buffeting on an ‘F-18’ model and a derived interpretative hypothesis, DRA TM Aero 2224, 1991.Google Scholar
3. Hancock, G.J. An Introduction to the Flight of Rigid Aeroplanes, New York, Ellis Horwood, 1995.Google Scholar
4. Nixon, D. Unsteady Transonic Aerodynamics, Vol. 120, Progress in Astronautics and aeronautics, 1989.Google Scholar
5. Mabey, D.G. Physical Phenomena Associated with Unsteady Transonic flows. Chapter (1), Ref. 4, 1989.Google Scholar
6. Nixon, D. Basic Equations for unsteady transonic flow, Chapter (2), Ref. 4, 1989.Google Scholar
7. Bispling Hoff, R.L. and Ashley, H. Principles of Aeroelasticity,London, Wiley, 1962.Google Scholar
8. Dowell, E.L. and Curtiss, H.C. A Modern Course in Aeroelasticity, Netherlands, Sitjhoff and Noordhoff, 1978.Google Scholar
9. Zimmerman, H. and Destuynder, R. Flight flutter testing with emphasis on the tip vane method, AGARD CP 339, Paper 21, 1983.Google Scholar
10. ANON. Special course on aerodynamic characteristics of controls, AGARD 711, 1983.Google Scholar
11. ANON. Flight in an adverse environment, AGARD LS 197, 1994.Google Scholar
12. ANON. Report on the accident to Boeing 707 G-APFE at the foot of Mount Fuji, Japan, on 5 March 1967, HMSO, 1967.Google Scholar
13. ANON. Aircraft accident report — Braniff Airways, BAC 1-11 N1553 near Falls City, Nebraska, 6 August 1966, National Transportation Safety Board, Washington DC, 1968.Google Scholar
14. Hoblit, F.M. Gust loads on aircraft: concepts and applications, AIAA, 1988.Google Scholar
15. Jones, J.G., Foster, G.W. and Haynes, A. Fractal properties of inertialrange turbulence with implications for aircraft response. Aeronaut J, 1988, 92, (919), pp 301308.Google Scholar
16. Jones, J.G., Foster, G.W. and Earwicker, Wavelet analysis of gust structure in measured atmospheric turbulence data, AIAA J, 1993, 30, (1),pp 9499.Google Scholar
17. Welsh, B.L. and Cripps, B.E. The reduction by active control of the turbulence response of a swept wing model at subsonic and transonic speeds, RAE TR 81-136, 1981.Google Scholar
18. Tudeman, H. Investigation of the transonic flow around oscillating aerofoils, NLR TR 77-090U, 1977.Google Scholar
19. Gad-El-Hak, M. The pitching delta wing, AIAA J, 1985, 23, (11),pp 16001665.Google Scholar
20. Mabey, D.G. Beyond the buffet boundary, Aeronaut J, 1973, 77, (748), pp 201214.Google Scholar
21. Mabey, D.G. Some aspects of aircraft dynamic loads due to flow separation, Prog Aero Space Sci, 1989, 26, pp 115151; also AGARD R-750, 1988.Google Scholar
22. Mabey, D.G. Welsh, B.L. and Pyne, C.R. A review of rigid body response on sting supported models at high angles of incidence, Prog Aero Space Sci, 1991, 28, pp 133170.Google Scholar
23. Mabey, D.G. Similitude relations for buffet and wing rock on delta wings, Prog Aero Space Sci, 1997, 33, pp 481511.Google Scholar
24. Rogers, E.W.E. and Hall, I.M. An introduction to the flow about plane swept back wings at transonic speeds, Aeronaut J, 1960, 64, (596), pp 449464.Google Scholar
25. Kuchemann, D. and Weber, J. An analysis of some performance aspects of various types of aircraft designed to fly over different ranges at various speeds, RAE TR 66-188, 1966.Google Scholar
26. Owen, T.B. Techniques of pressure fluctuation measurements employed in RAE low speed windtunnels, AGARD Report 172, 1958.Google Scholar
27. Mabey, D.G. Analysis and correlation of data on pressure fluctuations in separated flow, AIAA J, 1972, 9, (9), pp 642645.Google Scholar
28. Mabey, D.G. Aerodynamically induced vibration in coolers, RAE Technical Report 65098, J R Aero Soc, 1965, 69, (660), pp 876877.Google Scholar
29. Mabey, D.G. Oscillatory flows from shock-induced separations on biconvex aerofoils of varying thickness in ventilated windtunnels. In Boundary Layer Effects On Unsteady Airloads, AGARD CP 296, 1980.Google Scholar
30. Woods, M.I. and Wood, N. Unusual aerodynamic effects on a generic series of novel planforms, Conference on Unsteady Aerodynamics. RAeS, London, 1996.Google Scholar
31. Mabey, D.G. and Pyne, C.R. Tangential leading edge blowing on a combat aircraft configuration. ICAS Paper 94-4.6.1, 1994.Google Scholar
32. Raghunathan, S., Hall, D.E. and Mabey, D.G. Alleviation of shock oscillations in transonic flow by passive controls, Aeronaut J, 1990, 94, (937), pp 245250.Google Scholar
33. Raghunathan, S., McIlwain, ST., and Mabey, D.G. Wide angle diffusers with passive boundary layer control, Aeronaut J, 1991, pp 2834.Google Scholar
34. Mabey, D.G. and Pyne, C.R. Fin buffeting at high angles of incidence on a model of a slender wing aircraft, RAE TR 90-063. 1990.Google Scholar
35. Mabey, D.G. Flow unsteadiness and model vibration in windtunnels at subsonic and transonic speeds, ARC CP 1155, 1971.Google Scholar
36. Van Nunen, J.W.G. Notes concerning testing time requirements in steady and unsteady measurements, AGARD R6I5, Paper 2, 1973.Google Scholar
37. Ross, A.J. Lateral stability at high angles of attack, particularly wing-rock, Tech Memo FS 191, 1978.Google Scholar
38. Nguyen, L.T. and Ross, A.J. Some observations regarding wing-rock oscillations at high angles of attack, AIAA 88-4371-CP, 1988.Google Scholar
39. Liebst, B.S. A simplified wing-rock prediction method. AIAA 93-3662-CP, 1993.Google Scholar
40. Mabey, D.G. Review of the normal force fluctuations on aerofoils with separated flow, Prog Aero Sci, 1992, 29, pp 4380.Google Scholar
41. Mabey, D.G. and Ashill, P.R. Aeroelastic oscillations caused by transitional boundary layers and their attenuation, AIAA J, 1987, 24, (7), pp 463469.Google Scholar
42. Eckstrom, C.V., Seidel, D.A. and Sandford, M.C. Measurements of unsteady pressure and structural response for an elastic-supercritical wing, NASA, TP 3443, 1994.Google Scholar
43. Mabey, D.G., Welsh, B.L. and Cripps, B.E. Periodic flows on a rigid 14% thick biconvex wing at transonic speeds, RAE TR 81-059, 1981.Google Scholar
44. Levy, L.L. Experimental and computational steady and unsteady transonic flows about a thick aerofoil, AIAA J, 1978, 16, pp 564572.Google Scholar
45. Le Balleur, J.C. A viscous interaction method for computing unsteady transonic separation, ONERA TP 1985-5, 1985.Google Scholar
46. Gillan, M.A., Mitchell, R.D. and Raghunathan, S.R. Prediction and Control of Self-Excited Periodic Flow over Rigid aerofoils, Conference on Unsteady Aerodynamics, RAeS, London, 1996.Google Scholar
47. Edwards, J.W. Transonic shock oscillations calculated with a new interactive boundary layer coupling method, AIAA Paper, 93-0777, 1993.Google Scholar
48. Edwards, J.W. Transonic shock oscillations and wing flutter calculated with an interactive boundary layer coupling method, NASA TM 110284, 1996.Google Scholar
49. Edwards, J.W. Calculated viscous and scale effects on transonic aeroelasticity, Paper 1, AGARD SMP, Workshop Aalborg, Denmark, October 1997.Google Scholar
50. Welsh, B.L. Recent developments in the measurement of time-dependent pressure, AGARD CP 348, Paper 35, 1983.Google Scholar
51. Destuynder, R. and Tujdeman, H. An investigation of different techniques for unsteady pressure measurements in compressible flow and comparison with lifting surface theory, AGARD R 617, 1974.Google Scholar
52. Lambourne, N.C., et al. Comparative measurements in four European windtunnels of the unsteady pressures on an oscillating model (the NORA experiments), AGARD R-673, 1979.Google Scholar
53. Lambourne, N.C., (ed). Compendium of unsteady aerodynamic measurements, AGARD R702, 1982.Google Scholar
54. Mabey, D.G., Welsh, B.L. and Pyne, C.R. A summary of measurements of steady and oscillatory pressure on a rectangular wing, Aeronaut J, 1988,92,(911)pp 1028.Google Scholar
55. Mabey, D.G. and Welsh, B.L. A summary of further measurements of steady and oscillatory pressures on a rectangular wing, Aeronaut J, 1993, 97, (966), pp 195207.Google Scholar
56. McCroskey, W.J. A critical assessment of windtunnel results for the NACA 0012 airfoil, NASA TM 100019, 1987.Google Scholar
57. Garner, H.C, Moore, A.W. and Wight, K.C. The theory of interference effects on dynamic measurements in slotted-wall windtunnels at subsonic speeds and comparisons with experiment, ARC R & M 3500, 1966.Google Scholar
58. Garner, H.C. Theoretical use of variable porosity in slotted tunnels for minimising wall interference on dynamic measurements. RAE Technical Report71071,R&M 3706, 1971.Google Scholar
59. Moore, A.W. and Wight, K.C. On achieving interference-free results from dynamic tests on half models in transonic windtunnels, ARC R & M 3636, 1969.Google Scholar
60. Moore, A.W. and Wight, K.C. An experimental investigation of wind-tunnel wall conditions for interference-free dynamic measurements, NPL Aero Report 1307, ARC 31704, 1969.Google Scholar
61. Mabey, D.G. Homogeneous wall boundary condition for oscillatory flow in slotted tunnels, Aeronaut J, 1997, 101, (1003), pp 99109.Google Scholar
62. Fromme, J. and Goldberg, M. Unsteady two-dimensional airloads acting on oscillating thin airfoils in subsonic ventilated windtunnels, NASA CR-2967, 1978. 33.Google Scholar
63. Przybytowski, S.M. Effects of Wall Interference on Unsteady Transonic Flows, USA Arizona University, Phd Thesis (microfiche), N84- 15105, 1983.Google Scholar
64. Mabey, D.G. and Steinle, F.W. Computer studies of hybrid slotted working sections with minimum steady interference at subsonic speeds, Aeronaut J, 1985, 89, (884), pp 135148.Google Scholar
65. Garner, H.C. Wall interference on small lifting wings in tunnels with differing roof and floor, RAE TM Aero 2066, 1986.Google Scholar
66. Kong, L, Hameury, M. and Parksinson, G.V. Unsteady flow testing in a low correction windtunnel, J Fluids & Struct, 1998, 12, pp 3245.Google Scholar
67. Mundell, A.R.G. and Mabey, D.G. Pressure fluctuations caused by transonic shock-boundary layer interactions. RAE TM Aero 2047, 1985, also Aeronaut J, 1986, 90, (897), pp 274282.Google Scholar
68. Mabey, D.G. The use of sound-absorbing walls to reduce dynamic interference in windtunnels, R & M 3831, 1976.Google Scholar
69. Mabey, D.G. The reduction of dynamic interference by sound absorbing walls in the RAE 3ft windtunnel, R & M 3837, 1977.Google Scholar
70. AGARD Fluid Dynamics Panel, Boundary layer simulation and control in windtunnels, AGARD AR 224, 1987.Google Scholar
71. Mabey, D.G. A review of scale effects in unsteady aerodynamics, Prog Aero Set, 1991, 208, pp 273321.Google Scholar
72. Townsend, A.A. The Structure of Turbulent Shear Flow, Cambridge University Press, 1976.Google Scholar
73. Mabey, D.G. and Pyne, C.R. DRA unpublished, 1993.Google Scholar
74. Klloore, R.A., Adock, J.B. and Ray, E.J. Flight simulation characteristics of the Langley high Reynolds number cryogenic transonic tunnel, AIAA 74-80, 1974.Google Scholar
75. Lambourne, N.C. Similarity requirements for flutter and other aeroelastic models in a cryogenic windtunnel, RAE TM Structures 888, 1976, Proc. 1st International Symposium on Cryogenic Windtunnels, Paper 30, April 1979.Google Scholar
76. Mabey, D.G. Some remarks on dynamic aeroelastic model tests in cryogenic windtunnels, NASA CR 145029, 1975.Google Scholar
77. Mabey, D.G., Boyden, R.P. and Johnson, W.G. Buffeting tests in a cryogenic windtunnel, Aeronaut J, 1995, 99, (981), pp 114.Google Scholar
78. Young, C.P., et al. Buffet test in the National Transonic Facility, AIAA 92-4032Google Scholar
79. Edwards, J.W. National Transonic Facility model and tunnel vibrations, AIAA Paper 97-0345, 1997.Google Scholar
80. Mabey, D.G. Some remarks on the design of transonic windtunnels with low levels of flow unsteadiness, NASA CR 2722, 1976.Google Scholar
81. Mabey, D.G. and Hancy, J.P. Noise measurements in a slotted cryogenic windtunnel, RAE TR 91-062, 1991.Google Scholar
82. Edwards, J.W. and Thomas, J.L. Computational Methods for Unsteady Transonic Flows, Chapter 5, Ref 4, 1989.Google Scholar
83. Mabey, D.G. Effects of heat transfer in aerodynamics and possible implications for windtunnel tests, Prog Aero Sci, 1990, 27, pp 267303.Google Scholar
84. Mabey, D.G. Design features which influence flow separations on aircraft. Aeronaut J, 1988, 92, (920), pp 409414.Google Scholar
85. AGARD, SMP Workshop, Aalborg, Numerical Unsteady Aerodynamics and Aeroelastic Simulation, AGARD R-822, 1998.Google Scholar
86. AGARD, SMP SM, Rotterdam, Advanced Aeroelastic Testing and Data Analysis, AGARD CP-566, 1995.Google Scholar
87. Köenig, K. Prevention and Reality of Flutter — Relevant Tests, Paper No. 17, Ref. 86.Google Scholar
88. Meijer, J.J. and Cunningham, A.M. Outline and Applications of a Semi-Empirical Method for Predicting Transonic Limit Cycle Oscillations, Characteristics of Fighter Aircraft, Paper 75.Google Scholar
89. ANON. International Forum on Aeroelasticity and Structural Dynamics, Manchester, UK, 1995.Google Scholar
90. Pramanta, B.B., Hounjet, M.H.L. and Zwaan, R.J. Thin Layer Navier-Stokes Solver and its Application for Aeroelastic Analysis of an Airfoil in Transonic Flow, Paper 15, Ref. 89.Google Scholar
91. Tijdeman, H, et al. Transonic windtunnel Tests on an Oscillating Wing with External Stores, AFF DL TR 78 194, 1978.Google Scholar
92. Newby, K. Some thoughts on Wing Design for an M = 1·2 Transonic Transport, Tech Memo Aero 526, 1957.Google Scholar
93. Bagley, J. An aerodynamic outline of a transonic transport aeroplane, Tech Note Aero 2472, 1956.Google Scholar
94. Warren, C.H.E. An estimation of the occurrence and intensity of sonic booms, Tech Note Aero 2334, 1954.Google Scholar
95. Caradonna, F.X. Application of Transonic Flow Analysis to Helicopter Rotor Problems, Chapter 6, Ref 4, 1989.Google Scholar
96. Wilby, P.G. Shock waves in the rotor world — a personal perspective of 30 years of rotor aerodynamics in the UK, Aeronaut J, 1998, 102, (1013), pp 113128.Google Scholar
97. Rodden, W.P. The development of the doublet-lattice method, Rome Forum of Aeroelasticity, June 1997.Google Scholar
98. Irwin, C.A.K. Characteristics of high-speed windtunnels in the United Kingdom relevant to aeroelastic tests, ARC CP 876, 1967 Google Scholar