Influence of Tip Shape on Structure of Wing-Tip Vortex at Low Reynolds Numbers Available to Purchase

An important phenomenon in three-dimensional flow over a wing is the existence of wingtip vortex. It has significant effects on the aerodynamics of flying vehicles. In this computational study, we investigate the effects of geometry of the wingtip on the structure of the wing-tip vortices. Here, we consider a rectangular half-wing with NACA0012 airfoil as cross section. The aerodynamic coefficients and the flow-field variables are computed at low Reynolds numbers below 50,000. As the edge-shape parameter is increased the wing tip vortex is weakened. This influence is higher at higher values of Reynolds number. But, the increase of angle of attack does not change the shape or rate of this increase.