Evaluation of wing vortex behavior at high angles of attack by using laser visualization and numerical method

In this study, the vertical flow on a sharp edged, 70 degrees swept back delta wing was experimentally investigated in a smoke tunnel, using laser sheet technique. Previous studies show that changing Reynolds number has little effect on the vortex structure of sharp edged delta wings, although the angle of attack has the major effect. Furthermore, Spalart Almaras model is used for numerical investigation on the delta wing. The effect of angle of attack on size and break-down location of the vortices on the wing was studied. The results show that increasing of the angle of attack increases the size of the vortices and the height of the vortex core to the wing surface as well. The bigger vortex on a delta wing leads to increasing the lift of the wing and it increases the maneuverability of the aircraft. Abrupt changes occur in the structure of the vortices at very high angles of attack which is designated as vortex break-down. The vortex break-down cause’s intense oscillation of the surface pressure of the wing and it decreases the aircraft maneuverability.