Unit information: Aerodynamics in 2011/12

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Unit name Aerodynamics
Unit code AENG21100
Credit points 20
Level of study I/5
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director Professor. Gaitonde
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None
Co-requisites

None
School/department School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering
Faculty Faculty of Science and Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

High speed flows and the effects of compressibility, boundary layers and other viscous flows, stream function description of flows around bodies, fundamental ideas of aerofoil and wing theory, aerodynamics of control surfaces.

Aims:

To establish a basic understanding of fluid flows related to fixed and rotary wing aircraft. To provide the fundamental tools and concepts required for experimental, theoretical and computational modelling.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this Unit, the student will:

  • understand the various levels of approximation used in aerodynamic modelling, and have an appreciation of their limitations.
  • be able to use 2D incompressible, inviscid theory to model the flow around simple bodies and aerofoils, and understand the means by which lift is generated.
  • be able to use 3D incompressible, inviscid theory to model the flow around finite wings, and understand the effect of planform on aerodynamic behaviour and on the generation of lift-dependent drag.
  • be able to use basic compressible flow theory to model simple 1D and 2D flows, and understand the impact of compressibility on intake and nozzle flows and on wing characteristics.
  • have an understanding of the application of fluid mechanics to aerodynamic design of rotary wing aircraft

Teaching Information

35 lectures of 1 hour 7 examples classes of 1 hour 2 laboratory classes of 3 hours

Assessment Information

A 70% – 3 hour examination in May/June B 9% – 3 assessed examples questions during the year C 7% – Assessed MATLAB assignment D 7% – Lab Report: Chordwise Pressure Distribution (A1) E 7% – Technical Note: Compressible Flow (A2)

Reading and References

The primary recommended text is:

  • Anderson, J.D., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, 2nd ed., 1991, McGraw-Hill

The following are also useful references:

  • Houghton, E.L. and Carpenter, P.W., Aerodynamics for Engineering Students, 4th ed., 1993, Edward Arnold.
  • Massey, B.S., Mechanics of Fluids, 6th ed., 1989, Von Nostrand Reinhold.
  • White, F.M., Fluid Mechanics, 3rd ed., 1994, McGraw-Hill.

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