A continuous vorticity panel method is developed and utilized to predict the steady aerodynamic loads on lifting surfaces having sharp-edge separation. Triangular and semi-infinite panels with linearly varying vorticity are used. The velocity field generated by an individual element is obtained in closed form. A concentrated core of vorticity is employed to simulate the leading-edge-vortex core and its feeding sheet. An optimization scheme is constructed for finding the vorticity at the nodes of the elements. The method is not restricted by aspect ratios, angles of attack, planforms, or camber. The numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental data for both rectangular and delta wings for incompressible flows. / Ph. D.