Computational Evaluation of the Periodic Performance of a NACA 0012 Fitted With a Gurney Flap

Abstract

A detailed computational investigation into the periodic two-dimensional performance of a NACA 0012 section fitted with 2 and 4 percent h/c Gurney flaps operating at a Reynolds number of 0.85×106 is presented. The aim of the work was to determine the suitability of the incompressible Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) formulation in modeling the vortex shedding experienced by lifting sections with blunt, sharp edged features. In particular, whether under-converged steady state calculations could be used for section design performance evaluation in place of the computationally intensive time accurate flow simulations. Steady, periodic, and time-averaged two-dimensional lift and drag coefficients, as well as vortex shedding frequency, were predicted and compared with the available experimental data. Reasonable agreement was found, once sufficiently fine grids had been generated, and the correct time step determined for the time accurate simulations.