Flow Near the Leading Edge of a Rectangular Wing of Small Aspect Ratio with Applications to the Bow of a Ship

摘要

A local solution is developed for the square-root singularity at the leading edge of a rectangular flat plate of small aspect ratio. The analysis is based on the assumption that the spanwise load distribution is elliptical, and it follows that the two-dimensional lifting-surface integral equation can be reduced to a one-dimensional integral equation of the Wiener-Hopf form. A solution is then obtained, valid near the leading edge, which yields the strength of the square-root singularity. This solution is used to compute the leading-edge suction force. The local solution is applied to study the flow around the stem of a ship's bow, as a result of a yawing motion, using a correction for the finite radius of curvature at the bow. (Modified author abstract)