Prediction of Lift Coefficient for Tandem Wing Configuration or Multiple-Lifting-Surface System Using Prandtl’s Lifting-Line Theory

Abstract

In tandem airfoil configuration or multiple-lifting-surface layouts, due to the flow interaction among their lifting surfaces, the aerodynamic characteristics can be affected by each other. In accordance with Prandtl’s classical lifting-line theory, a method to calculate the section lift coefficient for the tandem wing configuration or multiple-lifting-surface system is presented. In that method, the form of Fourier sine series is used to express the variation of the section circulation which changes continuously along the wingspan. The accuracy of the numerical solutions obtained by the method has been validated by the data obtained from computational fluid dynamics and tunnel experiment. By varying the design parameters, such as the gap, the stagger, the incidence angle, the wingspan, the taper ratio as well as the aspect ratio, a series of tandem wing configurations are tested to analyze the lift coefficient and the induced drag of each lifting surface. From the results, it can be seen that the bigger negative gap and stagger can produce better lift characteristic for tandem wing configuration. Besides, it will also be beneficial for the lift characteristic when the incidence angle and the wingspan of fore wing are appropriately declined or if the incidence angle and the wingspan of hind wing are appropriately increased.