An equivalence law relating three- and two-dimensional pressure distributions

Abstract

Two wings may be said to have equivalent pressure distributions if the distribution of Mn, the component of surface Mach number normal to the local isobars, is the same in both cases. A simple approximate method is given of calculating Mn from a knowledge of the pressure distribution, and some satisfactory comparisons with a more accurate theory are obtained. It is then possible to define an equivalent two-dimensional pressure distribution from a knowledge of the three-dimensional, distribution, or vice versa.