The Pressure Field of a Vortex Wake in Ground Effect,

Abstract

The ground pressures under a descending pair of vortices, such as might be generated by aircraft either landing or taking off are computed. It is found that as the vortices first approach the ground, only positive pressures are produced; however as the descent continues the high velocity field of the vortices makes itself apparent in dips to sub-atmospheric pressure which lie closely beneath the vortex center. Nevertheless, a substantial positive pressure hill precedes the path of the vortex as it moves laterally in the 'ground effect'. The level of pressures produced is dependent only on the flight speed, lift coefficient and aspect ratio while the length scale of the pressure distribution is proportional to the span. These results may be useful in the development of systems to monitor multiple aircraft take-off and/or landing operations.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1975
Accession Number
ADA008857

Entities

People

  • Clinton E. Brown

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Aspect Ratio
  • Barometric Pressure
  • Coefficients
  • Fixed Wing Aircraft
  • Flight Speeds
  • Ground Effect
  • Motion
  • Physical Properties
  • Pressure Distribution
  • Stratified Fluids
  • Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics.
  • Geotechnical Engineering.