An experimental study of the aerodynamic characteristics of a wing in close proximity to a moving ground plane

• Main Author: Rhodes, Steven C
• Other Authors: Sayers, Anthony
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2014
• Subjects: Mechanical Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/5480

Word processed copy. === Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-83). === A wind-tunnel investigation was conducted to determine the effect of ground proximity on the aerodynamic characteristics of a slender un-cambered DHM1TU rectangular wing of aspect ratio 3. A moving-belt ground plane and elevated aerodynamic balance facility were designed and installed in the UCT McMillan Laboratory open test-section wind tunnel. ... The results indicated that as the ground was approached the wing experienced an increase in the lift-curve slope and a reduction in induced drag, which resulted in an increase in the lift-drag ratio.