Author(s)

U. Bunge, T. Rung, R Thiele

Abstract

The two-dimensional, incompressible flow at Reynolds number based on chord length of 1.3 • ID** around an inextensible, massless sail (flexible membrane airfoil) with varying excess length is examined solving the Reynolds-Averaged Navier- Stokes (RANS) equations on computational grids deforming according to the sail movement. The grid deformation is computed using the same numerical proce- dure solving the basic equations of displacements for an isotropic, linearly elastic continuum. Results are presented for fully turbulent conditions employing clo- sure models of different degree of complexity in comparison with experimental and analytical results obtained from literature. The sail is modelled as a chain with frictionless hinges. Good agreement can be found for low angle of attack and small excess

Keywords