AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF A FLAT-BOTTOMED SEMI-CIRCULAR WING IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE GROUND

An experimental investigation of a semicircular wing flying very close to a solid boundary is performed to verify recent analytical results. Comparison is made between first order theory and data through plots of lift coefficient versus angle of attack for various clearances. Reasonable agreement is obtained for these cases within the limitations of the theory. Lift/drag ratio plots are also presented which show the potential of such a technique for support vehicles. A brief outline of the theoretical development is also included to give some insight into the type of analysis which was used.

• Corporate Authors:

  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  Fluid Dynamics Research Laboratory
  Cambridge, MA  United States 
• Authors:
  • Pepin, J N
  • Widnall, S E
  • Barrows, T M
• Publication Date: 1971-9

Media Info

• Pagination: 27 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerodynamic lift; Air cushion vehicles; Angle of attack; Car clearances (Railroads); Commercial transportation; Downwash; Drag; Intelligent transportation systems; Lift drag ratio; Mathematical analysis; Passenger transportation; Pressure; Wind tunnels
• Uncontrolled Terms: Experimental data; Experimental design; Model tests; Pressure distribution
• Old TRIS Terms: Advanced systems; Clearances; Ram wings; Semicircular wings
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Passenger Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00039285
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: FRA-RT-72-73 Final Rpt
• Contract Numbers: DOT-C-85-65
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 24 1973 12:00AM