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Aerodynamic Center1
Aerodynamic Center1
Mref
Mnew
xref
xnew
Cm ref
CL + CM new
The Aerodynamic Center is defined as that location xac about which the pitching moment doesnt change with angle of attack. How do we find it?
1
Aerodynamic Center
Let xnew = xac Using above: ( x xref ) CM ref = ac CL + CM ac c Differential with respect to :
x xref CL CM ac = ac + c By definition: CM ac =0 Solving for the above CM ref
Example: Consider our AVL calculations for the F-16C xref = 0 - Moment given about LE
Compute
CM ref CL
CM 0 @ xac = 2.89 , but also that CM = 0 . The location about which CM = 0 is called the center of pressure.
Note that according to the AVL predictions, not only is
16.100 2002
Aerodynamic Center
Center of pressure is that location where the resultant forces act and about which the aerodynamic moment is zero. Changing new to cp and ref to NOSE to correspond to AVL:
CM NOSE
CM 0 at CL = 0 .
16.100 2002
0.5
0 -5 -0.5 0 5 10 15 20
-10
Cm
-1
-1.5
-2
-2.5
-3
-3.5 Alpha
Wind Tunnel Test Aerodynamic Center Characteristics for Washout and Rigid Wings (Altitude = 10,000 ft.)
50
45
40
A.C. (% MAC)
30
25
20
0.5
0.6