Blade-Vortex Interaction on a Twisting Flat Plate

Vortex dynamics during parallel blade-vortex interaction (BVI) of a tandem-wing configura- tion are studied in a towing tank using planar particle image velocimetry (PIV) and force sensor data. A vortical gust is generated by applying a rapid pitching motion to a leading rigid flat plate. The generated gust collides with a trailing flat plate undergoing dynamic twisting. The interaction between the vortex and leading edge, the interaction between the vortex and the boundary layer, and the subsequent evolution of the vortex over the surface of the trailing plate are investigated for varying twisting kinematics. Vortex trajectory and strength are obtained from PIV data. The results are used to study the mechanisms of vortex decay and the effects of key parameters on vortex dynamics. The subsequent effects on the hydrodynamic forces experienced by the trailing plate are studied by analyzing force sensor data in conjunction with PIV results