Course teacher(s)
Thierry MAGIN (Coordinator)ECTS credits
5
Language(s) of instruction
english
Course content
Part A: Incompressible and compressible flow over aerofoils and wings
- Introduction: fundamental concepts, conservation equations, potential flow
- 2D incompressible, irrotational, inviscid flow
- 3D incompressible flow over finite wings
- 2D inviscid compressible flow over aerofoils
- 3D wings in compressible flow
Part B: Compressible flow and shock waves
- Compressibility and sound waves
- Shock waves
- Expansion waves: Prandtl-Meyer flow
- Reflection and interaction of waves
- Shock tubes
The exercises entail analytical problems (e.g. use of the control surface method to find the drag on a sphere), practical challenges (e.g. aerofoil selection for aeronautical applications) as well as numerical questions (e.g. programming of a panel method).
Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)
Aims and objectives
Teach the basic principles of aerodynamics and give the students a theoretical basis on which other courses of the programme can build.
The primary aim is to make the student familiar with the source of the forces on a wing, the associated lift and drag, the relative importance of friction and pressure distribution, and notions such as centre of pressure and aerodynamic center.
The student also needs to have insight in three-dimensional effects (induced drag). The different behaviour of incompressible and compressible flow should be understood, as well as additional effects in transonic and supersonic flows.
Simple methods to calculate flows both analytically (thin aerofoil, Prandtl's lifting line) as numerically (panel methods) are being taught, aiming at learning the student to roughly calculate and design a wing or a complete aircraft geometry.
Competences and Exam requirements
The theoretical basic principles must be understood. The students must be able to apply them to simple examples.
The student has an in-depth scientific knowledge of aeroplane aerodynamics with physical insight in the origin of forces on a wing, the effect of wing shape (symmetrical or not, thin or thick, strong or weak curvature,..) and angle of attack. He is capable of interpreting and understanding aerofoil data such as lift- and drag curves and polar curves, etc.
The student can programme basic methods for analysis such as Prandtl's lifting line and panel methods, and can interpret the obtained results. The student is able to apply these simplified methods to solve complex problems and is aware of the limitations of the simplified approach.
The student has the competences to understand the aerodynamic design of aircraft and to tackle successfully follow up or related courses such as e.g. courses on aircraft design, supersonic aerodynamics or performance and stability of aircraft. The student should also be aware of the existence of more advanced aerodynamics based on CFD and realize that this constantly evolving field of knowledge requires a life-long learning attitude. During the assignments the students learn to tackle aerodynamic problems and aerodynamic designs with the simplifying methodologies of the course. They should be critical towards these results knowing the limitations and simplifications behind the used methodologies.
Teach the basic principles of aerodynamics and give the students a theoretical basis on which other courses of the programme can build.
The primary aim is to make the student familiar with the source of the forces on a wing, the associated lift and drag, the relative importance of friction and pressure distribution, and notions such as centre of pressure and aerodynamic center.
The student also needs to have insight in three-dimensional effects (induced drag). The different behaviour of incompressible and compressible flow should be understood, as well as additional effects in transonic and supersonic flows.
Simple methods to calculate flows both analytically (thin aerofoil, Prandtl's lifting line) as numerically (panel methods) are being taught, aiming at learning the student to roughly calculate and design a wing or a complete aircraft geometry.
Competences and Exam requirements
The theoretical basic principles must be understood. The students must be able to apply them to simple examples.
The student has an in-depth scientific knowledge of aeroplane aerodynamics with physical insight in the origin of forces on a wing, the effect of wing shape (symmetrical or not, thin or thick, strong or weak curvature,..) and angle of attack. He is capable of interpreting and understanding aerofoil data such as lift- and drag curves and polar curves, etc.
The student can programme basic methods for analysis such as Prandtl's lifting line and panel methods, and can interpret the obtained results. The student is able to apply these simplified methods to solve complex problems and is aware of the limitations of the simplified approach.
The student has the competences to understand the aerodynamic design of aircraft and to tackle successfully follow up or related courses such as e.g. courses on aircraft design, supersonic aerodynamics or performance and stability of aircraft. The student should also be aware of the existence of more advanced aerodynamics based on CFD and realize that this constantly evolving field of knowledge requires a life-long learning attitude. During the assignments the students learn to tackle aerodynamic problems and aerodynamic designs with the simplifying methodologies of the course. They should be critical towards these results knowing the limitations and simplifications behind the used methodologies.
Prerequisites and Corequisites
Courses requiring this course
Teaching methods and learning activities
Lectures (36h), Exercices (20h), Laboratory session (4h)
References, bibliography, and recommended reading
- Abbott I.H., Von Doenhoff A.E., Theory of Wing Sections, Dover Publ. Inc., 1959
- Anderson J., Introduction to Flight, McGraw-Hill, 1985.
- Anderson J., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, 2nd Edition, McGraw-Hill, 1991.
- Ashley H., Landahl M., Aerodynamics of wings and bodies, Dover Publ. Inc., 1985.
- Brouwer C.H.C., Aerodynamica voor vliegtuigen, Delta Press, 1990.
- Brandt S.A., Stiles R.J., Bertin J.J., Whitford R., Introduction to Aeronautics : A design Perspective, AIAA Education Series, 1997.
- Clancy J.L., Aerodynamics, Pitman Publishing Lim., 1975.
- Kroo I., Applied Aerodynamics: A digital textbook, Desktop Aeronautics Inc., 1997.
- Kuethe A.M., Chow C.-Y., Foundations of Aerodynamics: Bases of Aerodynamic Design, John Wiley and Sons, 5th Ed., 1998
- Milne-Thomson L.M., Theoretical Aerodynamics, Dover Publ.Inc., 4th Ed.,1973
- Shapiro A.H., The Dynamics and Thermodynamics of Compressible Fluid Flow (Vol.1 and 2),Ronald Press Company, 1953.
Course notes
- Syllabus
- Université virtuelle
Contribution to the teaching profile
This teaching unit contributes to the following competences:
- Having in-depth knowledge and understanding of exact sciences with the specificity of their application to engineering.
- Having in-depth knowledge and understanding of the advanced methods and theories to model complex problems or processes.
- Having an in-depth scientific knowledge, understanding and skills in at least one of the subfields needed to design, produce, apply and maintain complex mechanical, electrical and/or energy systems
- Can reformulate complex engineering problems in order to solve them (simplifying assumptions, reducing complexity).
- Having a creative, problem-solving, result-driven and evidence-based attitude, aiming at innovation and applicability in industry and society.
- Having a critical attitude towards one's own results and those of others.
- Having an attitude of life-long learning as needed for the future development of his/her career.
Other information
Contacts
Thierry Magin
Thierry.Magin@ulb.be
Campus
Solbosch
Evaluation
Method(s) of evaluation
- Other
Other
Written exam, oral exam, and laboratory report
Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)
Theory (50%), Exercises (40%), Laboratory (10%)
Language(s) of evaluation
- english