Gonçalves, Sullivan Benjamim SeixasCamacho, EmanuelSilva, A. R. R.2023-01-022022-06-20Gonçalves, Sullivan B. S.; Camacho, Emanuel A. R.; Silva, André R. R., "Analysis of the Propulsive Performance of a Plunging Flat Plate", AIAA AVIATION 2022 Forum, AIAA 2022-4042, Chicago (IL), USA, June 27-July 1, 2022, DOI: 10.2514/6.2022-4042978-162410635-4http://hdl.handle.net/10400.6/12551Unsteady aerodynamics is the study of flows that pass an object subjected to oscillations, which has a strong association with bioinspired flows and rotor dynamics. The central objective of the paper is to study the propulsive characteristics of two plates at a Reynolds number of 3.1x10^3 with straight and sharp trailing edges. The reduced frequency is kept between 1.0 and 5.0 with a nondimensional amplitude ranging between 0.125 and 0.500. The problem was solved numerically using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), and results show that differently from what is usually observed in airfoils, the mean thrust coefficient does not increase monotonously with the reduced frequency, having a dip around k = 3.0. The same is not verified for the mean power coefficient, which increases continuously with the reduced frequency. Two phenomenon responsible for the reduction of the mean thrust coefficient is identified. Through analysis of pressure contours around the flat plates, a low-pressure zone was seen near the trailing edge, creating a suction effect in that zone. The influence of k on the formation of the LEV is analyzed, via its approximate radius, evidencing a behavior similar to the mean Ct . Furthermore, the trailing-edge shape revealed to be an important factor on thrust reduction.engAerodynamic ChordFree Stream VelocityPower CoefficientComputational Fluid DynamicsRotor DynamicsVortex Shedding PhenomenaLift CoefficientReynolds Averaged Navier StokesShear StressFlow Characteristicsconference object10.2514/6.2022-4042