Mathematical and computational modeling of positive and negative ground effect in aerohydrodynamics

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Abstract

The aerohydrodynamic ground effect, manifested through changes in forces acting on an object moving near a boundary between media, is widely recognized in various transport systems. The positive ground effect is traditionally associated with an increase in the normal component of the aerohydrodynamic force (lift force). This phenomenon finds its most significant application in the development of WIG craft (Wing-in-Ground effect craft) — high-speed amphibious vehicles that utilize increased wing lift when approaching the interface surface. Alongside the positive effect, there exists the possibility of a reverse (negative) ground effect, where lift force decreases as the object approaches the boundary.
The aim of this study is to develop a mathematical model for determining the nature of ground effect influence on wing aerodynamic characteristics, and to create a numerical simulation algorithm for viscous turbulent flow that accounts for ground effect, intended for digital support of vehicle life cycle processes.
This paper presents the following main results: classification of ground effect types on various technical objects; a mathematical model serving as a criterion for determining ground effect characteristics; numerical simulation results of ground effect aerodynamics on a lifting surface with analysis of various ground influence cases. The reliability of the proposed criterion is verified by numerical simulation results.

About the authors

Andrei V. Fevralskih

Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University)

Author for correspondence.
Email: a.fevralskih@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5959-7994
SPIN-code: 5313-8879
Scopus Author ID: 57222121673
ResearcherId: G-2922-2017
https://www.mathnet.ru/rus/person226671

Cand. Tech. Sci.; Associate Professor; Dept. of Computational Mathematics and Programming

Russian Federation, 125993, Moscow, Volokolamskoe Shosse, 4

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Supplementary files

Supplementary Files
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1. JATS XML
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2. Figure 1. To the problem of velocity vector circulation around an airfoil near a moving screen

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3. Figure 2. Computational mesh for airfoil flow in ground effect aerodynamics simulation

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4. Figure 3. Lift coefficient $c_y$ versus relative gap $\overline{h}$ between the trailing edge and the screen for Clark-YF 8%–40% airfoil at various angles of attack $\alpha$

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5. Figure 4. Location of control segments relative to the airfoil

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6. Figure 5. Distribution of the tangent of flow inclination angle $\tau$ along segments $AB$ and $CD$ at various angles of attack $\alpha$ and relative gaps $\overline{h}$ between the trailing edge and the screen: a — $\alpha = 2^\circ$; b — $\alpha = -3^\circ$; c — $\alpha = -4^\circ$; d — $\alpha = -5^\circ$

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7. Figure 6. Research algorithm for aerohydrodynamic ground effect analysis using the derived governing equation

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