35310 - Applied Aerodynamics (2nd cycle)

Learning outcomes

The student should be able to understand and to use numerical codes to assess the flow behaviour around lifting surfaces, aerodynamic and bluff bodies. He should be capable to perform an aerodynamic conceptual design and, being familiar with the experimental apparatus, to design wind tunnel tests in order to validate the results.

Course contents

1. THE FLUIDS AND THEIR MOTION
The physics of fluids – The continuum hypothesis – The fluid particle – Kinematic, thermodynamic and transport properties of the fluid particle – The strain tensor - Viscosity and thermal conductivity – The Prandtl number
2. THE NAVIER STOKES EQUATIONS
The basic principles of mechanics – The Cauchy tensor – The continuity equation -The momentum equation – The energy equation – The constitutive equations
3. SOLUTIONS OF THE NAVIER STOKES EQUATIONS
The Couette and Poiseuille motion – Blasius – Falkner-Skan – Integral methods for the boundary layer solution – The method of Polhausen- The equations of motions in cylindrical and spherical coordinates
4.HYDRODYNAMIC INSTABILITY AND TRANSITION
Introduction – Main definitions and critical Reynolds – Spatial and temporal evolution of the disturbances – The inviscid and viscous problem – The stability of Blasius solution – The secondary instabilities – Different transition scenario
5. TURBULENCE
Introduction – Fundamentals of statistics – The spatial and temporal scales – The equations of turbulent motion – Some examples of turbulent flows – Spectral analysis – Numerical methods for the study of turbulent flows
6. EXPERIMENTAL AERODYNAMICS
The Buckingham theorem – Wind tunnels – Types and characteristics of wind tunnels – Measurements methods: pressure probes, hot-wire, Laser-Doppler anemometry – PIV – Force measurements – The balances – Flow visualizations – Acquisition and processing methods – Uncertainty analysis
7. APPLIED AERODYNAMICS
Vehicle aerodynamics- Industrial aerodynamics - The buffeting – Galloping – Flutter – vortex shedding loads
 
During the main course there will be a short integrative course of 12 hours given by Prof. Henrik Alfredsson of the Royal Institute of Technology of Stockholm in SUPERSONIC AERODYNAMICS. There will be notes provided by the lecturer.

Readings/Bibliography

“Elementary Fluid Dynamics” –  D. J. Acheson – Clarendon Press Oxford – ISBN 0-19-859679-0
“Viscous fluid flow” –  F. White  – Mc Graw Hill – ISBN 0070697124
“Fluid Mechanics measurements” – R. J. Goldstein – Taylor and Francis - ISBN 1-56032-306-X
“Aerodinamica Sperimentale” – Notes from the lecturer
“An Introduction to Turbulent Flow” –J. Mathieu, J. Scott – Cambridge University Press - ISBN 0-521-77538-8

Teaching methods

Lectures and exercises given by the docent. During the course, seminars and integrative courses, given by highly distinguished lecturers, will be organised. They will be focused on specific aerodynamic topics for the Aerospace and Industrial Engineering. These arguments will be part of the program and can be the part of the final exam.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of a single session in which the student should answer firstly a written test. The correction of the test will be when the student have finished and will be the base for further oral questions on the subject. The student must show a sufficient skill in writing down and commenting the mathematical and physical models as well as the different experimental techniques.

Teaching tools

Blackboard, slides and power point presentations.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Talamelli