Bardera, R., León Calero, M., Rodríguez Sevillano, A. A. Experimental investigation of the aerodynamic flow in the aircraft carrier ski-jump by means of PIV. 7th International Conference on Computational Methods in Marine Engineering (MARINE), 861-872.
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods have opened a new field to perform aerodynamic studies saving money and time. The difficulties presented by this method to calculate complex flow field problems imply that CFD validation is needed to provide correct results. Experimental data have recently been used to validate the accuracy of CFD predictions. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) has shown to be a powerful tool in the investigation of complex flows. The aim of this paper is to present results from PIV experiments that would be interesting for CFD validation.
Regarding aircraft operations, the short runway available implies the necessity of equipment which helps to take-off performances. Ski-jump ramp system improves aircraft performances by an increment of lift resulting in successful take-off operations. The ski-jump ramp presence generates a complex flow bounded by a turbulent shear layer and a low velocity recirculation bubble over the end of the flight deck. The adverse effects on the aircraft aerodynamics affect to pilot safe operations, so this region is an interesting problem to be studied by means of wind tunnel experimental tests.
