Experimental Methods for Aerodynamics

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• State-of-the-art measurement technology and its applicability and limitations (SM1m, EA1m, P12M)
• Introduce major types of aerodynamic test facilities (D1, EL10M)
• Introduce aspects of experiment design and associated uncertainties. (P8)
• Different statistical analysis tools as well as data manipulation methods and computational analyses (SM2m, SM5m, EA3m)
• Introduce tools for analysis of fluid flows (SM3m)
• Exposure to different measurement techniques, their viability and limitations in examining fluid flows (EA3m, EA6M)
• Experiment-conception and design to address problems in fluid mechanics (SM6m, SM9M, P10m, EL13M)

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Analyse data obtained via experiments using various statistical tools (SM2m, EA2)
• Explain the principles and working of experimental methods (SM1m, SM7M)
• Collect data using different experimental methods (EA7M)
• Quantify the accuracy of the measurements performed and awareness of codes of best practice (D2, D9M, EL8M, EL12M)
• Appreciate strengths and weaknesses of methods used to measure fluid flows and awareness of emerging technologies (SM8M, EA5m, P9m)

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Demonstrate study and time management skills (G2, G3, G4)
• Design and develop experimental setups (P1, P3, P10m, G1)
• Study and learn independently including engaging with technical literature (P2m, P4)

• Introduction to major types of experimental facilities
• Experimental planning and Statistical design
• Calibration and uncertainty analysis
• Flow visualisation
• Sensors for aerodynamics measurements – requirements and types
• Pressure measurements – static, stagnation, unsteady and acoustic array
• Force measurements – steady and unsteady
• Hot-wire anemometry
• Temperature and heat-transfer measurements – thermocouples, surface gauges and optical
• methods
• Laser Doppler velocimetry
• Particle Image velocimetry
• Planar laser induced flourescence
• Schlieren and Shadowgraphs
• Data analysis

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, Labs. Supporting material on Blackboard and Library webpage.

Assessment strategy

Repeat Type: Internally (due to coursework based on lab attendance)

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

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.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal