This project investigated aspect ratio and Reynolds number effects on the lift and drag coefficients of flat plate airfoils. Experiments conducted at Reynolds numbers of 50,000, 100,000 and 200,000, angles of attack of 0-30 degrees, and a thickness-to-chord ratio of 1/24 (0.04167) indicated surprising trends. Low aspect ratios yielded high lift/drag ratios, indicating higher efficiency than higher aspect ratio wings. The same wings also demonstrated an increase in stall angle from 8 to 15 degrees, and a corresponding decrease in dCl/da.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Luszcz, Matthew Todd
• Whiteman, G. Mark

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 01D247M

Advisor

• Olinger, David J.
• Johari, Hamid

Year

• 2001

Sponsor

• Engineering Laboratory Design, Inc

Date created

• 2001-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright