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A Theoretical Approach to the Aerodynamically Significant Properties of Roughness from Insects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 June 2016

W. S. Coleman*
Affiliation:
Blackburn Aircraft Limited
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Summary

In Reference 3, attention is drawn to the difficulties of measuring the streamwise extent of the roughness from insects. The present paper deals with the problem theoretically for an aerofoil in two-dimensional, incompressible flow. A tentative approach to the determination of effective excrescence height downstream of the leading-edge zone is also advanced. The application of these investigations, in conjunction with the analysis from Ref. 3 regarding the critical conditions for premature transition, leads to estimates of the amount of significant roughness which are in good agreement with flight observation.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society. 1960

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References

1. Atkins, P. B. Wing Leading Edge Contamination. A.R.L. Flight Note 17, Melbourne, 1951.Google Scholar
2. Johnson, D. Brief Measurements of Insect Contamination on Aircraft Wings. Ministry of Supply unpublished report, 1952.Google Scholar
3. Coleman, W. S. The Characteristics of Roughness from Insects as Observed for Two-Dimensional, Incompressible Flow past Airfoils. Journal of the Aero/Space Sciences, Vol. 26, pp. 264280, May 1959.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4. Coleman, W. S. Roughness Due to Insects. To be published in Boundary Layer Control — Principles and Applications, Pergamon Press, London.Google Scholar
5. Hocking, B. The Intrinsic Range and Speed of Flight of Insects. Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London, Vol. 104, pp. 223345, 1953.Google Scholar
6. Coleman, W. S. The Measurement of Insect Rupture Velocity. Unpublished.Google Scholar
7. Richards, A. G. The Integument of Arthropods. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis; also Oxford University Press, London.Google Scholar