Preliminary Study of the Effects of Leading-Edge Serration on a Two-Section Planar Wing in ground-effect at Low Reynolds Number

TL;DR

This study investigates how leading-edge serration affects the aerodynamic performance of a two-section trapezoidal wing in ground effect at low Reynolds numbers, combining numerical and experimental methods.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the aerodynamic benefits of leading-edge serration and ground proximity, validated through both simulations and experiments.

Findings

Serration increases maximum lift coefficient and stall angle.

Ground effect improves efficiency for both geometries.

Numerical results at high angles of attack are less reliable.

Abstract

A preliminary study has been conducted on the effects of serration on the leading-edge of a two-element trapezoidal wing placed both out-of- and in-ground effect. Aerodynamic performance and flow behaviour were evaluated numerically and validated experimentally. Results indicate an increase in maximum lift coefficient and stall angle obtained implementing a serrated leading-edge geometry due to the flow being re-energized by the formation of a series of counter-rotating pairs of vortices. Results from the analysis of the wing in ground effect appear less well defined. Both leading-edge geometries -- straight and serrated -- show an increase in efficiency due to the proximity to the ground. The wing with the straight leading-edge geometry shows constant improvement up to stall, whilst numerical results show a significant decrease in lift performance at high angles of attack. This may be caused by the lower-fidelity numerical model implemented at higher angles of attack, thus yielding less accurate results.