Unsteady Aerodynamic Analysis of Tandem Flat Plates in Ground Effect

Unsteady aerodynamic analysis of flat plates in tandem configuration flying near the ground is done using a discrete vortex method. The vortex core modeling and the core addition scheme are needed for the better prediction of the unsteady downwash on the flat plates and coupled aerodynamic interference between the plates. For the validation of the present method, the computed wake shapes of both single flat plate and flat plates in tandem configuration are compared with flow visualization and other numerical results. The predicted wake shapes and the aerodynamic characteristics of the flat plates in tandem configuration show that the unsteady ground effect can be of considerable importance in the performance of wings in tandem configuration.