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Aerofoil theory: potential flow, thin aerofoil and Prandtl lifting line; Boundary layer theory; Compressibility effects; Mechanics of flight; Stability and control in flight; Range and endurance; Wind tunnel testing; Glider design, build and test; Wind turbines; Ground vehicles: traction and rolling resistance, steering and suspension
This course teaches the fundamental understanding and some of the design skills required for aerodynamic design in the aviation and automotive industries, with relevance also to the wind and hydroelectric power industries. The course strengthens skills required for almost any industrial application with moving fluids.Theoretical knowledge in the topics above will be taught by lectures and self-paced study with online materials. Practical exercises include modelling aerofoils with Xfoil, measuring aerofoil properties in a wind tunnel, designing and building a hand-launched glider from supplied materials, and modelling wheeled vehicle dynamics in MATLAB.Aerofoil properties:• Flat plate lift and drag• Aerofoil lift, drag and pitching moments• Pressure and shear stress distributions on aerofoils, and their integration to lift and drag• Polar data • Tip vortices and other finite wing effectsAircraft performance:• Equations of motion for flight vehicles• Glide ratio• Thrust required• Power required• Range and endurance• Takeoff and landing• High lift devices• Turning performanceStability and control of flying vehicles:• Control surfaces for fixed-wing craft• Actuators• Longitudinal stability (trim) treated quantitatively• Lateral, directional and roll stability treated qualitativelyWind tunnel testing:• Scaling and model choicePropeller systems:• Propeller design considerations• Blade element momentum theory (BEMT) design methodHigh speed effects:• Transonic control• Supersonic control and drag• Supersonic propulsionWheeled ground vehicle dynamics:• Load transfer in cornering• Tyre design, traction and rolling resistance• Ground vehicle aerodynamics• Suspension types• Steering geometry
Learning outcomes and National Qualifications Framework (NQF)Knowledge outcomes:Solid grasp of the fluid dynamics underlying aerodynamics and methods for computing the pressure and shear stress distributions and total lift, drag and momentsKnowing where to find and how to manipulate empirical data to estimate drag and lift on simple bodiesKnowledge of the relationship between flying vehicle configuration, control surface layout and stabilityUnderstanding of the common designs of wind turbines and their performanceFundamental knowledge of the forces governing ground vehicle performance and comfort and their relationship to steering, suspension and tyres.Skills outcomes:Ability to choose an appropriate airfoil for a specific applicationAbility to design a body enclosing a given envelope for low aerodynamic or hydrodynamic dragAbility to estimate thrust, power, range, endurance and speed in flightAbility to set up and measure models in wind tunnelsAbility to design and construct simple lightweight glidersAbility to choose appropriate tyres and tyre pressures for a ground vehicle and calculate power requirements for given speeds.Personal attributes developed:Communicating complex concepts to peersDesigning and constructing optimal systems with limited resources
Subject to approval of the Head of Department. RP: Bachelors degree in Engineering or equivalent
ENME404, ENME 474
Bachelors degree in Engineering or equivalent
Mark Jermy
Anderson, John D.,Jr.1937-; Fundamentals of aerodynamics ; 5th ed. in SI units; McGraw-Hill, 2011.
Anderson, John David; Introduction to flight ; 5th ed; McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2005.
MIT; The Simple Science of Flight ; 2009 (General interest).
Domestic fee $1,059.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
Maximum enrolment is 100
For further information see Mechanical Engineering .