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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, automotive, wind and hydroelectric power industries, and strengthens skills required for almost any industrial application with moving fluids.Proposed teaching/delivery methods:Lecture hours will cover the following topics, supported by private study.Aerofoil theory:• Pressure and shear stress distributions on aerofoils, and their integration to lift and drag• Drag polar data for aerofoils• Potential flow theory and the superposition principle• Thin aerofoil theoy for symmetric and cambered aerfoils• Prandtl lifting line theory for aerofoils of finite span• Panel method for computing aerodynamic forces• Boundary layer and compressibility effectsFlight dynamics and flight mechanics:• Equations of motion for flight vehicles• Principal axes, forces and moments, and derivatives of the same for flying vehicles• Stability and control of flying vehicles• Mechanics, range and endurance for gliding and powered flightNon-lifting components:• Empirical data on drag and lift of non-lifting componentsWind tunnel testing:• Scaling and model choice• Measurement uncertaintyWind turbines:• Wind statistics, wind shear and terrain effects• Design types, limitations and performance• Year-averaged performance• Tip and hub effects; downwind interferenceGround vehicle dynamics:• Tyre forces, traction and rolling resistance• Power and speed• Body roll in cornering• Steering geometry• Ride and suspensionA practical class in XFOIL aerofoil optimisation software with private study requirementA practical class in wind tunnel measurement with individual reportA group activity designing and building a glider from specified materials, competitively tested, with an individual report on design rationale.
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 compute typical wind characteristics and wind turbine power outputAbility 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
ENME304
ENME474
Mark Jermy
Anderson, J D; Fundamentals of Aerodynamics ; McCraw-Hill, 2010 (Choose one of the recommended textbooks).
Anderson, J D; Introduction to Flight ; McGraw-Hill, 2005 (Choose one of the recommended textbooks).
Auld & Srinivas; Aerodynamics for students at the University of Sydney ; (Choose one of the recommended textbooks. This can be found at http://sites.google.com/site/aerodynamics4students/table-of-contents).
Houghton, E L, Carpenter, P W, Collicott, S, Valentine, D T; Aerodynamics for engineering students ; Elsevier, 2012 (Choose one of the recommended textbooks).
MIT; The Simple Science of Flight ; 2009 (General Interest).
Springer-Verlag; What makes aeroplanes fly? ; 1996 (General interest).
Wiley, J; Foundations of aerodynamics ; Kuethe & Show, 1998 (Choose one of the recommended textbooks).
Domestic fee $988.00
International fee $4,725.00
* 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.
For further information see Mechanical Engineering .