Investigation of Extreme Leading-Edge Roughness on Thick Low-Drag Airfoils to Indicate those Critical to Separation

Abstract

Several airfoils, including a conventional NACA 23021 and some low-drag airfoils for which the thickness had been increased to the point that they were considered doubtfully conservative with respect to separation, were investigated as smooth airfoils and after the application of a standard roughness. The results show some of the airfoils to be critical to separation resulting from such flow disturbances. It is concluded, pending the further investigation of separation difficulties, that airfoils sections falling definitely within the conservative range should be used.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1942
Accession Number
ADA801495

Entities

People

  • Eastman N. Jacobs
  • Ira H. Abbott
  • Milton Davidson

Organizations

  • National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aeronautical Laboratories
  • Airfoils
  • Boundary Layer
  • Boundary Layer Control
  • Coefficients
  • Drag
  • Flaps (Control Surfaces)
  • Leading Edges
  • Low Drag
  • Low Drag Airfoils
  • Measurement
  • Particles
  • Reynolds Number
  • Roughness
  • Skin Friction
  • Standards
  • Surfaces

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design