Unsteady Aerodynamics of a Chined
Forebody Undergoing Forced Pitch Oscillations
R. L. Mange and M. B. Bragg
University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801
ABSTRACT
A low-speed experimental study of the effects of an oscillatory pitching
motion on the flowfield of a chined forebody has been performed.These tests
were conducted in the University of Illinois low-speed (0- 240 ft/sec),low-turbulence
(<0.1%), 3 by 4 ft, open circuit wind tunnel. The high fidelity, CNC machined
aluminum model was sting mounted and oscillated sinusoidally in pitch from
0° to 52° angle of attack without sideslip.The effects of reduced
frequency were investigated by running a range of model oscillation frequency
at a nominal Reynolds number, based on the 3-inch base diameter of the forebody, of
2.8xl05.The experiments cover a range of oscillation frequencies from 0
to 1 Hz, corresponding to reduced frequencies, based on the 10.5-inch length, of
0 to 0.0137. Surface pressures were measured at all conditions using an array
of 91 static pressure taps. Normal force and pitching moment were determined
by integrating these data. Surface oil and smoke flow visualizations
were utilized to determine the vortex system and help interpret the surface
pressure data. Steady flow visualization revealed the importance of secondary
boundary-layer separation on the leeward surface of the chined forebody. This
separation was caused by a steep spanwise surface pressure gradient between
the chine edge and the suction pressure peak associated with the primary
vortex. Surface static pressure data indicated a hysteresis effect in the
unsteady flowfield. Leeward surface static suction pressures built-up at lower
angles-of-attack in the dynamic upstroke than in the steady case. The opposite
was true in the dynamic downstroke. This hysteresis in leeward surface static
pressures also resulted in a hysteresis in secondary boundary-layer separation,
secondary vortex formation and the integrated forces and moments. These data
showed increased lift in the upstroke and decreased lift in the downstroke, with
negligible effects on the center-of-pressure.