Wake behind a Compound Wing in Ground Effect

Abstract

Flow structure is a crucial point for the conceptual design of Wing-in-Ground effect (WIG) crafts. In this study, pressure distributions around a compound wing, velocity and the turbulent intensity distribution in the wake area after trailing of the wing, have been investigated numerically. Computational simulations were completed regarding various angles of attack in-ground-effect. Two parts made up the compound wing: The first composed by one rectangular wing in the center, the second composed by a reverse taper wing, consisting of an anhedral angle at the side. A realizable k-ε turbulent model exhibited the flow field in the physical domain about the wing surface. The numerical results of the compound wing were validated using the data provided by wind tunnel tests. The flow structures around the compound wing were compared with that of a rectangular wing for different conditions. It was found that the pressure distribution on the rectangular wing was weaker than at the lower surface for the compound wing. However, the suction effect on the upper surface of the rectangular wing was higher. Also, the velocity defect and the turbulence level in the wake area was greater behind the compound wing.