Influence of aspect ratio on the wake dynamics of a pitching wing

The three-dimensional flow around a custom wing performing pitching oscillation is analyzed numerically using large-eddy simulation with the wall adapting local eddy-viscosity subgrid-scale model. The wake characteristics behind the pitching wing with three different aspect ratios, AR = 2 / 3 , 1 , 4 / 3, is investigated in an upstream flow with Reynolds number, Re = 2640. The Q -function is employed to identify the swirling structures in the flow field, and four primary vortices, namely, primary leading edge vortex (PLEV), secondary leading edge vortex, wing tip vortices, and trailing edge vortex, are identified. The evolution of vortices over the wing surface is presented in detail, and the arrangement of vortex rings in the wake is compared for three different aspect ratios. The PLEV develops into an arch vortex using the self-induction phenomenon, and the interlinking between the subsequent vortex rings depends on the arch vortex leaving the trailing edge. The force coefficient computed over the wing shows a positive thrust for AR = 4 / 3. The mean velocity field contours indicate a spanwise loading on the wing, which is unaccountable in two-dimensional studies. The Reynolds stresses generated due to large-scale periodic velocity fluctuations in the wake are presented. The vorticity field in the midplane of the wing appears to be diffusive at higher aspect ratios. The comparison of vorticity from the three-dimensional and two-dimensional models suggests that a two-dimensional model will over predict the vorticity distribution and force coefficients in the wake. Published under an exclusive license by AIP Publishing.