Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

AE 4600
Aircraft Stability & Control

Lecture 3: Finite Wing Characteristics

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 Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Finite Wing (3D Aerodynamics)

Finite wing (3D) aerodynamics is different from Airfoil (2D) aerodynamics!!

(why?)
Wingtip Vortices => downward induced velocity => AoA reduction =>Induced Drag

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Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

2D vs. 3D Aerodynamics

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 Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Wing Planform Shape Effect on 3D Aerodynamics

Wing Planform Shape

Elliptical Wing
Minimum Induced Drag
Constant Induced AoA along spanwise direction
Elliptical lift distribution along spanwise direction
High Manufacturing Cost
Rectangular Wing
Induced Drag not minimum
Variable induced AoA along spanwise direction
Low Manufacturing Cost
Tapered Wing
Induced Drag are close to minimum (that of elliptical
wing)
Variable induced AoA along spanwise direction
Low Manfacturing Cost

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 Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Wing Planform Shape Effect & 3D Aerodynamics

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 Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Wing Planform Geometry Parameters

Wing Planform Area (S)

Wing Span (b)
Aspect Ratio (AR)
Root Chord (Cr), Tip Chord
(Ct)
Taper Ratio (TR)
Sweep Angle ()
Dihedral Angle ()
Wing Twist Angle
Mean Aerodynamic Chord

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Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Stall Progression Pattern

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Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Stall Progression Pattern

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 Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Wing Twist: Geometric vs. Aerodynamic

Why? To minimize 3D finite wing

induced drag
Wings are given twist so that the
AoA (thus LIFT) varies along the
span
Washout: AoA decreases in AoA
toward wingtip
Washin: AoA increases in AoA
toward wingtip
Twist Method
Geometric Twist: Changing the
spanwise lift distribution by
geometric twist
Aerodynamic Twist: Changing the
spanwise lift distribution by using
different airfoil section along
spanwise location

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