Flow visualization of the airwake around a model of a TARAWA class LHA in a simulated atmospheric boundary layer

Abstract

A qualitative analysis of the airwake of a TARAWA class LHA in a simulated atmospheric boundary layer was conducted using the environmental wind tunnel. Helium bubble flow visualization techniques were employed and a photographic record made of the results. The study utilized a 1:205 scale wooden model of the LHA, suitably mounted to a motion simulator able to fix various combinations of pitch, roll and yaw. Helium bubble flow visualization produced excellent photographic results. Yaw angles of 0 deg and 30 deg starboard showed a generally smooth flow pattern with bow trailing vortices, while a yaw angle of 45 deg port displayed areas of significant turbulence and recirculation zones. Keywords: Flow visualization, Simulated atmospheric boundary layer, Theses. (jhd)