Measurement of different ground effect aircraft designs

• Main Author: Phan, Hector Jun Wen
• Other Authors: Chan Wai Lee
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Engineering; Ground effect of aircraft
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/177788
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This study investigates the lift and drag characteristics of different wing planforms when exposed to ground effect phenomena, with the aim of finding the best lift-to-drag (L/D) ratio conditions. Ground effect vehicles take advantage of flying close to a surface to increase lift and reduce drag, resulting in improved efficiency and performance. Therefore, they have a lot of potential as efficient and environmentally friendly transportation especially for maritime use. Through experimentation, the objective of the study is to provide insights into optimising the designs of ground effect vehicles. The results suggest that, while the various wing planforms exhibit distinct aerodynamic characteristics, the delta wing performs the best in terms of increased L/D ratio when in ground effect. Experiments with a delta wing with the NACA0012 profile were conducted, and the wing achieves maximum L/D ratio at a lower angle of attack (AOA). Other than highlighting the importance of selecting a suitable wing design when designing a ground effect aircraft, this study contributes to the understanding of how different wing planforms behave near the ground and supports ongoing efforts to create new transportation solutions.