Experimental Investigation of the Aerodynamics and Flowfield of a NACA 0015 Airfoil Over a Wavy Ground

Abstract

The aerodynamic properties and flowfield of a NACA 0015 airfoil over a wavy ground were investigated experimentally via surface pressure and particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. Flat-surface results were also obtained to be served as a comparison. For the wavy ground, there exhibited a cyclic variation in the sectional lift coefficient Cl over an entire wavelength. The maximum Cl observed at the wave peak (produced by the wavy ground-induced RAM pressure) and minimum Cl occurred at the wave valley (resulting from the unusual suction pressure developed on the airfoil's lower surface due to the converging-diverging flow passage developed underneath it) reduced with increasing ground distance. By contrast, the pitching-moment coefficient showed an opposite trend to the variation in Cl and had an almost all-negative value. Meanwhile, two peak values in the drag coefficient over each wavelength were observed. The wavy ground effect-produced gains in the mean Cl and lift-to-drag ratio were at the expense of longitudinal stability. Additional measurements considering different wavelengths and amplitudes are needed to further quantify the impact of wavy ground on wing-in-ground effect (WIG) airfoils and wings.