Laboratory  Experiment  1  

Mohd  Ashraf  Mohd  Ismail  

 

Name : Mohammed Ashraf Bin Mohammed Ismail

Student No: N0806406
Contact No: 98225529
Date Submitted:
Lab. : Flow Visualization
Course Instructor: Mr Roger Chua
   
  

Table of Contents

Abstract.......................................................................................................................... 3
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 4
DEFINATION ............................................................................................................... 5
EXPIREMENT RESULT.............................................................................................. 6
Cylinder diameter(12mm) ......................................................................................... 6
Slow Speed at 0 Degree Angle of Bank ................................................................ 6
Fast Speed at 0 Degree Angle of Bank.................................................................. 6

Cylinder diameter(25mm) ......................................................................................... 6

Slow Speed at 0 Degree Angle of Bank ................................................................ 6
Fast Speed at 0 Degree Angle of Bank.................................................................. 6

2mm thick plate curved plate..................................................................................... 7

Slow Speed at 0 Degree Angle of Bank ................................................................ 7
Fast Speed at 0 Degree Angle of Bank.................................................................. 7

Block of Dimension 70mmX25mmX40mm ............................................................. 7

Slow Speed at 0 Degree Angle of Bank ................................................................ 7
Fast Speed at 0 Degree Angle of Bank.................................................................. 7

2mm thick plate rounded on one side ........................................................................ 8

Slow Speed at 0 Degree Angle of Bank ................................................................ 8
Slow Speed at 15 Degree Angle of Bank .............................................................. 8
Fast Speed at 0 Degree Angle of Bank.................................................................. 8
Fast Speed at 15 Degree Angle of Bank................................................................ 8

Symmetrical Aerodynamic Wing Model................................................................... 9

Slow Speed at 0 Degree Angle of Bank ................................................................ 9
Slow Speed at15 Degree Angle of Bank ............................................................... 9
Fast Speed at 0 Degree Angle of Bank.................................................................. 9
Fast Speed at 15Degree Angle of Bank................................................................. 9

DISCUSSION OF RESULT........................................................................................ 10
CONCLUSION............................................................................................................ 11
APPENDIX and REFERENCE................................................................................... 12
 
 

2    
Abstract  

This lab work is concerned with the experimental studies of the aerodynamic airflow
over different types of objects. Object used are of different size and dimension and in
some instances the angle of attack is being adjusted. Flow Visualisation technique is
used to clarify the flow behavior, of air especially wake structure behind the objects.
In this experiment we shall show how the behavior of the boundary layer can affect
lift, drag, and separation. We will use 8 different types of geometrical shape in our
experiment and in various stage changing the air speed and the angle of attack

Introduction  to  Aerospace  Engineering  Lab  1   3  

 
Introduction  
In the study of aerodynamic, understanding of the influence of the ‘boundary layer’
over the aerofoil is very important. The boundary layer is a very thin layer of air that
is closed to the aerofoil and “understanding it holds the key on how air flow behave,
and particular how lift is generated”[1]

Boundary layer is the friction of air molecules with the surface of the airfoil that
caused this change in speed. It’s the air closest to the airfoil till the edge of the layer
as the position where the flow speed reaches 99% of the free stream value.

Figure  1

The boundary layer will grow thicker as it gets further away from the leading edge.
There are 2 forms of boundary flow a)Laminar flow b)Turbulent flow

The Boundary layer can be separated into 5 main parts. 1)Laminar Flow,
2)Turbulent Flow ,3)Separation Point 4) Transition Point 5)Stagnation Point

4    
 Definition  
Laminar Flow- Is the smooth, uninterrupted flow of air over the contour of the
wings, fuselage, or other parts of an aircraft in flight.

Turbulent Flow - Turbulent flow is when the air is subject to continual changes in
speed and direction. It consists of irregular eddies (circular currents) of air that push
on a surface in unexpected ways.

Transition Point – An instability develops and is the point when laminar flow
changes to turbulent flow

Separation Point – Is the point when the air can no longer return to the original free
stream condition It is because of this action therefore the boundary layer at this point
gets thicker and creates the formation of “wakes”. Beyond this point air will flow in
the reverse direction and a stall will occure.

Stagnation Point – Is the flow of the air that gets slowed down by following the
dividing streamline as it approaches the aerofoil.(First point of contact)

Angle of Attack (AoA) - The Angle at which the wing Strikes the air stream.

Figure  2  

Introduction  to  Aerospace  Engineering  Lab  1   5  

 
Experimental  Procedure  and  Result  

 
 
 

  Slow  12mm  

  Fast  12mm  

6    
  

              Slow  

              Fast    

              Slow  

              Fast    

Introduction  to  Aerospace  Engineering  Lab  1   7  

 
  

Slow  Speed  0(AOA)  

Fast  Speed  0(AOA)  

Slow  Speed  15AOA)  

Fast  Speed  15  (AOA)  

8    
  

Slow  Symmetrical  0(AOA)  

              Fast  Symmetrical  0(AOA)  

Slow Symmetrical 15(AoA)  

Fast Symmetrical 15(AOA)

Introduction  to  Aerospace  Engineering  Lab  1   9  

 
Discussion  of  Result  
 
Cylinder diameter (12mm) & (25mm)
• The faster the airspeed, the more turbulent the air flow becomes (Both)
• For the 25mm, the airflow is more turbulent but it tends to follow the contour
of the shape after passing through rather that than the 12mm which forms
small eddies after pass through right behind the shape.
• More resistances for the 25mm at the stagnation point than the 12mm

2mm thick plate curved plate

• The air follows the contour of the shape better on the upper side
• The air flow is more laminar at slow speed that at fast speed
• At faster airspeed, the air flow still follows the contour of the shape on the
upper side but becomes drastically turbulent at the lower side. Eddies to start
form on the lower side and furthermore lower flowing air is also met with
great resistance because of the curved shape on the lower part
Block of Dimension 70mmX25mmX40mm
• Not much difference between the both a fast speed and slow speed.
• The resistance, (Stagnation point) seems to be more at faster speed.
2mm thick plate rounded on one side
• At 0 (AOA) for slow and fast speed, the airflow is very ideal; it is laminar
flow and follows the contour of the shape.
• At 15 (AOA) for slow speed, the airflow is still very ideal, only at fast speed;
the separation point is nearly at the tip of the object. Airflow on top is very
turbulent and air flow below is met with some resistance as it comes in contact
with the structure.
Symmetrical Aerodynamic Wing Model
• At 0 (AOA) for the slow and fast speed the airflow is ideal. At Slow speed, the
air tends to follow the shape of the contour very closely but at fast speed it still
follow the contour only slightly further away
• At 15 (AOA) for slow speed the airflow is still ideal, only at fast speed, the
airflow starts to separates (separation point) and nearly ¾ of the aerofoil .
Airflow on top looks slightly more bumpy that at slow speed.

10    
 Conclusion  
 Turbulent flow usually happens at faster speed

 At turbulent flow, the air is less prone to separation.

 At Higher Angle of Attack (AOA), the separation point moves forward

towards the leading edge.

 The boundary layer thickens when turbulent flow is formed

 From the experiment, shows that the Symmetrical aerofoil is the best
wing shape aerodynamically.

Introduction  to  Aerospace  Engineering  Lab  1   11  

 
Appendix  and  Reference    

1. R H Barnard and D R Philpott. (2004)(3rd Edition) Aircraft Flight . England

Pearson Education Limited

2. http://history.nasa.gov/SP-­‐367/f37htm  

3. http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/aerodynamics/q0215.shtml

4. http://acam.ednet.ns.ca/curriculum/wing.htm

5. David F.Anderson and Scott Eberhardt (2001) Undersanding Flight, New

York(USA) McGraw-hill Companies

12    
  
/www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/Scienc
es/Physics/Mechanics/FluidMechanics/
RealFluids/BoundaryLayers/BoundaryLa
y e r s . h t m )  

1)
http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/aerodynamics/q0215.shtml
)

The stagnation point is the point at which the stream of air

moving toward the wing divides into two streams, one flowing
above and the other flowing below the wing. Air flows faster
above a wing with greater camber since the same amount of
Introduction  to  Aerospace  Engineering  Lab  1   13  

 
air has to flow through a narrower space. According to
Bernoulli's principle, the faster flowing air exerts less pressure
on the top surface, so that the pressure on the lower surface is
higher, and there is a net upward force on the wing, creating
lift. The camber is varied, using flaps and slats on the wing in
order to achieve different degrees of lift during takeoff, cruise,
and landing.(http://www.enotes.com/earth-
science/aerodynamics)

Angle of Attack
The angle at which a wing strikes the air stream.

The ability to create lift is dependent on the airflow remaining

smooth around the airfoil. At zero degrees angle of attack there is
just a small turbulent wake.
 

At very high angles of attack the separated flow region expands and
the lift is reduced and drag increases. There will be a large
turbulent wake.

14    
 Introduction  to  Aerospace  Engineering  Lab  1   15  

 
  
ad

 
http://acam.ednet.ns.ca/curriculum/wing.htm

16    
  
 

http://history.nasa.gov/SP-­‐367/fhttp://history.nasa.gov/SP-­‐
367/f37.htm

Introduction  to  Aerospace  Engineering  Lab  1   17  

 
 35.htm  
http://history.nasa.gov/SP-­‐367/f37htm  

18    
  
 

 
http://history.nasa.gov/SP-­‐367/f34.htm  
 

Introduction  to  Aerospace  Engineering  Lab  1   19