The transonic similarity law for two-dimensional flow derived by von Karman was investigated by an iteration procedure similar to that of the Rayleigh-Janzen and Ackeret-Prandtl-Glauert methods. The results, which show that the potential can be expressed as a power series in a single parameter that depends on Mach number, thickness ratio, and ratio of specific heats, are in agreement with those of von Karman. By the iteration procedure, the second approximation for the flow past a Kaplan section was obtained in similarity form. The exact solution by Kaplan for the second approximation was examined and found expressible in the same similarity form. The exact numerical results to three approximations obtained by Kaplan for the Kaplan section and the circular arc have been reduced to transonic similarity form.

Solution for compressible flow past slender bodies of revolution has been derived by an iteration procedure similar to Rayleigh-Janzen and Prandtl-Ackeret methods. Solution has been analyzed with respect to transonic similarity. Results are in approximate agreement with those of von Karman in region of flow field not to close to the body. In neighborhood of the body, a different similarity law is obtained, which holds for variations in thickness ratio and Mach number, but not for variations in specific-heat ratio. In addition, this law appears to be limited in applicability to extremely slender bodies of revolution. The differences between results of the present investigation and those of von Karman are interpreted in terms of the manner in which boundary condition on the body is satisfied and of the nature of the singularity of the solution near the axis.

Includes the Committee's Technical reports no. 1-1058, reprinted in v. 1-37.

A method is presented for the approximate calculation of the stresses and distortions in a box beam representing the main structural component of a swept wing with a carry-through section and with bulkheads perpendicular to the spars. The application of the method is illustrated by a numerical example and its results are compared with previously published test data.