Effect of Trailing-Edge Flap Deflection on a Symmetric Airfoil Over a Wavy Ground

Abstract

The effect of trailing-edge flap (TEF) deflection on the aerodynamic properties and flowfield of a symmetric airfoil over a wavy ground was investigated experimentally. This Technical Brief is a continuation of Lee and Tremblay-Dionne (2018, “Experimental Investigation of the Aerodynamics and Flowfield of a NACA 0015 Airfoil Over a Wavy Ground,” ASME J. Fluids Eng., 140(7), p. 071202) in which an unflapped airfoil was employed. Regardless of the flap deflection, the cyclic variation in the sectional lift Cl and pitching moment Cm coefficients over the wavy ground always persists. The Cm also has an opposite trend to Cl. The flap deflection, however, produces an increased maximum and minimum Cl and Cm with a reduced fluctuation compared to their unflapped counterparts. The Cd increase outperforms the Cl increase, leading to a lowered Cl/Cd of the flapped airfoil.