An analytic study is conducted to determine the impact of aspect ratio on the efficiency of a wing at low Reynolds numbers. Viscous effects in terms of airfoil sectional behavior are simulated. The behavior of two airfoils is experimentally examined to extract parameters required for simulation. The analysis indicates that without the inclusion of airfoil pressure drag, wing efficiency increases essentially unbounded with aspect ratio. However, incorporating airfoil efficiency leads to the appearance of distinct peaks in plots of the range and endurance parameters. Low airfoil efficiency is seen to favor moderate wing aspect ratios so as to minimize the sectional pressure-drag penalty.


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    Title :

    Aerodynamic Impact of Aspect Ratio at Low Reynolds Number


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Journal of Aircraft ; 50 , 2 ; 626-634


    Publication date :

    2013-01-04


    Size :

    9 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English








    Aerodynamic Characteristics of Low Aspect Ratio Wings at Low Reynolds Numbers

    Torres, G. E. / Mueller, T. J. / American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2002