Transonic equivalence rule: a nonlinear problem involving lift

Abstract

The inviscid transonic flow past a thin wing having swept leading edges, with smooth lift and thickness distributions, is shown to possess an outer nonlinear structure determined principally by a line source and a line doublet. Three domains (the thickness-dominated, the intermediate, and the lift-dominated), representing different degrees of lift control of the outer flow, are identified; a transonic equivalence rule valid in all three domains is established. Except in one domain, departure from the Whitcomb-Oswatitsch area rule is significant; the equivalent body corresponding to the source effect has an increased cross-sectional area depending nonlinearly on the lift. This nonlinear lift contribution results from the second-order corrections to the inner (Jones) solution, but produces effects of first-order importance in the outer flow. Of interest is an afterbody effect dependent on the vortex drag, which is not accounted for by the classical transonic small-disturbance theory.