Laminar Flow Separation and Transition on a Low-Reynolds-Number Airfoil

A study was conducted to investigate laminar flow separation and transition on a low-Reynolds-number airfoil. A high-resolution particle image velocimetry (PIV) system was used, to perform detailed flow measurements, quantifying the occurrence and behavior of laminar-layer separation, transition, and reattachment on the low-Reynolds-number airfoil, along with mapping surface-pressure distribution around the airfoil with pressure sensors. The detailed flowfield measurements were quantitatively correlated with the surface-pressure measurements. The investigations were performed in a closed-circuit low-speed wind tunnel, while the airfoil used in the study, was a NASA low-speed GA(W)-1 airfoil. The airfoil model was equipped with 43 pressure taps at its median span. The pressure taps were connected to a pressure acquisition system for surface-pressure measurements.