| Unit name | Experimental Aerodynamics |
|---|---|
| Unit code | AENGM2008 |
| Credit points | 10 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Mr. Bunniss |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
AENG3410 - Experimental Aerodynamics |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Aerospace Engineering |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
The title implies experiments in air, but other fluids may be used in aerodynamic simulation, e.g. use of water tunnels and Freon gas to achieve high Reynolds Number, the use of nitrogen and helium to avoid problems in hypersonic flow simulation. In addition the experimental aspects of dynamic simulation is also considered as test models react to aerodynamic loads. Computational methods (CFD) can now cope with many complex flow situations and as computer power rises such simulations will continue to advance. However, they involve assumptions and simplifications of the real flow and probably always will. Therefore simulation by experiment is needed to validate the computational solutions. In addition there are still many flow situations that cannot adequately be examined other than by experiment particularly in simulating flow through rotor systems. The scope of experimental aerodynamics is very wide, covering : Aircraft and other aerodynamically influenced vehicles; Industrial aerodynamic problems; Architectural and other natural flow problems; Flow problems in medicine.
