Aerodynamics

Learning Outcomes

Full CEng Programme Level Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Formulate and analyse complex problems in aerodynamics and flight stability that involves using available data, mathematics, and engineering principles. Use engineering judgment to use/discard uncertain or incomplete data discussing the limitations of the techniques employed. This will be assessed in quizzes as well as laboratory report.
• Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model complex aeromechanics problems with sufficient recognition on limitations of the technique. These are assessed in quizzes, final assessment, and laboratory report
• Use a risk management process to identify, evaluate and mitigate risks (the effects of uncertainty) associated with the evaluation of lift and drag as well as associated trade-offs. This is assessed in the laboratory report where multiple theoretical, numerical, and experimental data sources are used to verify the outcome.
• Apply a comprehensive knowledge of mathematics, statistics and principles to the solution of complex aerodynamics and aircraft stability problems especially applied to determination of forces/moments of aerodynamic surface, which is assessed via quizzes and final assessment.
• Use practical laboratory and workshop skills to investigate aerodynamic problems. This is assessed with compulsory attendance, performing experiments (in pairs) and use the collected data in preparing the laboratory report.
• Communicate effectively on complex aerodynamic issues with technical and non-technical audiences, evaluating the effectiveness of the methods used. This will be assessed with the lab report where you are expected to provide a brief non-technical introduction and then provide technical details on the different tools used for the analysis.
• Apply an integrated approach to analyse a wing design problem. The lab report is the place where this is assessed. Multiple tools are used to verify the outcome and communicated using a holistic lab report that presents information from 4 different labs.

Fundamental concepts:

Recap of Thermofluids concepts, non-dimensional numbers and sanity checks, Partial derivatives and corresponding physical concepts, numerical implementation, vorticity & irrotational flow, Mass and momentum conservation using partial derivatives.

Viscous flow:

Types of boundary layers, integral properties of boundary layers, displacement thickness, momentum thickness, momentum integral equation for a flat plate (MIE), power law approximations for turbulent boundary layers, drag on a flat plate for laminar and turbulent flow including transition. Numerical implementation of various concepts.

Potential Flow:

Streamlines and velocity potential, Laplace equation, Uniform stream, source/sink, doublet and line vortex. Superposition of different flow elements with examples: uniform flow with source, flow around circular cylinder/doublet, lifting flow over circular cylinder, method of images.

Thin Aerofoil Theory:

Kutta-Joukowski theorem, Vortex sheets, Kutta condition, symmetric aerofoil (lift-versus-angle of attack, aerodynamic centre & centre of pressure) and cambered aerofoil (lift-versus-angle of attack), surface loading/pressure distribution, Flow over real airfoils.

Finite Wing Theory:

Downwash & induced drag, Biot-Savart law, bound vorticity, horseshoe vortex, classical lifting line theory, application to elliptic & general wing planforms, Flow over real wings.

Equilibrium, Trim, and Stability:

Extension of aerodynamics concepts to complete aircraft, lateral-directional stability, longitudinal equilibrium and trim, neutral point, longitudinal static margins (stick fixed and stick free), manoeuvre margin, flight testing.

Laboratory sessions:

1) Boundary layer lab – measuring velocity profiles of laminar and turbulent boundary layers

2) Wind tunnel lab for an infinite wing – measuring pressure distribution and integrating it to estimate lift.

3) Wind tunnel lab for a finite wing - measuring lift and drag of a finite wing and assessing its performance

Teaching methods will include lectures, video tutorials, drop-in sessions and laboratory demonstrations. Learning activities include directed reading, problem solving, report writing.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.