72th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics (November 23, 2019 — November 26, 2019)

V0078: Controlling flow separation using traveling wave actuation

Authors

• Amir Akbarzadeh, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University
• Borazjani Iman, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/APS.DFD.2019.GFM.V0078

Large-eddy simulation of flow over a NACA18 airfoil at an angle of attack of 15 degrees is performed. The fully separated flow on the suction side reattaches by employing a surface morphing in the form of bio-inspired low-amplitude traveling wave actuations. The simulations show 44% lift increase compared to the unactuated airfoil, and reveal that the traveling wave actuations are more effective than other types of actuations, including the standing waves.