Rival, DavidWood, DavidHartloper, Colin2013-05-012013-06-102013-05-012013http://hdl.handle.net/11023/696This thesis presents an experimental investigation into unsteady vortex development on pitching low-aspect-ratio plates. Simultaneous to force measurements, the three-dimensional Particle Tracking Velocimetry technique is used to characterize the suction-side ow eld. On an aspect-ratio-four rectangular plate, inboard-directed spanwise ow is induced by the tip vortex, while the tip-vortex formation process correlates with the angle of attack. As such, slow and fast pitch-up motions induce low and high levels of inboard-directed ow. This inboard-directed ow alters the leading-edge-vortex (LEV) dynamics, slowing LEV growth in the near-tip region while causing LEV compression near the symmetry plane. On lunate and truncate planforms, outboard-directed ow induced by spanwise leading-edge curvature, rather than vortex stretching, mitigates the arch-vortex that is observed to form on the rectangular planform. Additionally, the vortical wake formed by planforms that have identical spanwise leading-edge curvature, but otherwise di er in geometry, correlates strongly with a favourable lift-to-drag ratio on these planforms during the force-relaxation phase.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Engineering--AerospaceEngineering--MechanicalParticle-tracking velocimetryLeading-edge vortexTip vortexVorticity TransportBio-inspirationmaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/24887