Study of Vortex Shedding as Related to Torsional Oscillations of a Thin Airfoil

Author: Magnus, Richard Jeffrey

Year: 1948

Degree: Engineer's thesis

Advisor: Nagamatsu, Henry T.

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Aeronautics

DOI: 10.7907/NAKT-DG24

Abstract

This report covers an experimental investigation of the relationship between the vortex shedding frequency and self excited torsional oscillation frequency for a thin airfoil. The work consisted of measurements of velocity fluctuations in the airstream in the vicinity of a wing model mounted in a wind tunnel so that it could oscillate about the wing axis. The velocity fluctuation measurements were made with the Wing restrained and with the wing oscillating at various angles of attack and wind velocities.

Two distinct types of oscillations were found. One type was self sustaining and increased in amplitude with increasing wind velocity while the other type stopped for velocities beyond some critical value.

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