Aerodynamic Force Measurements Using Blower Balance Tunnel at Low Reynolds Number

Abstract

This chapter describes the basic concepts of aerodynamics, evolution of lift and drag, types of drag, reduction of wing tip vortices, non-planar wing concepts for increased aerodynamic efficiency, various methods for determination of aerodynamic forces of an airplane, classification of wind tunnels, blower balance tunnels, and a case study report on aerodynamic force measurement of the non-planar wing systems. To increase the aerodynamic efficiency of the monoplane configuration, the ‘C-wing' configuration is presented in this chapter. The aim is to prove, at all angles of attack, C-wing produces a higher (L/D) ratio than straight wing for the same wetted surface area. The aerodynamic characteristics of three different wing models with NACA-64215 aerofoil such as straight wing, C-wing, and inverted C-wing at different angles of attack and low Reynolds number are shown. The inverted C-wing created more lift but produced more vibration, which may lead to lesser structural integrity.