Computational Aerodynamics

Learning Outcomes

Full CEng Programme Level Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• In the assessed group coursework exercise, students compare different software packages, selecting numerical methods, boundary conditions and grids to provide a solution of a complex aerodynamics problem and are expected to discuss the limitations of the various choices.
• In the assessed individual coursework exercise students are required to develop a solution of a boundary layer flow problem, starting from fundamentals of the numerical method, including coding, validation and assessment of the limitations of the methodology such as the modelling of transition and turbulence.
• Student learn to apply of numerical analysis and flow physics knowledge to computational aerodynamics problems, assessed in the coursework exercises and by examination. Students are assessed on their understanding of the state-of-the art of CFD packages as well as the potential for increased use of scale-resolving simulations as computational power increases.
• Students are assessed on two pieces of coursework, one group and one individual, each requiring a non-technical summary and technical report. All students also contribute to an assessed group presentation and submit a self-assessment of the effectiveness of the oral presentation.
• Students are assessed on a group exercise requiring teamwork, in which they use computational fluid dynamics software packages to study a high-speed aerodynamics problem, including an assessment of the effectiveness of team working.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Plan self-learning to improve performance through a personal programme of work Work in groups on software-related projects

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of a range of numerical methods, physical models and analysis techniques relevant to aerodynamic design Understand key computational aerodynamic principles and be able to apply them for critical analysis of aerodynamic design Ability to extract and evaluate pertinent data from simulations using alternative approaches and to apply data analysis techniques to unfamiliar problems Demonstrate awareness of developing technologies related to aerodynamic flow simulation and to use fundamental knowledge to investigate these technologies Understand the basic principles of software engineering applied to aerodynamics calculations and be able to quantify the errors Demonstrate awareness of commercial constraints in the application of aerodynamic simulation techniques Understand software-related issues of group working

1.Fundamentals of aerodynamics. Review of physical models.

2.Analysis of finite difference and finite volume schemes. Stability and accuracy of explicit and implicit methods. Compact differencing and shock capturing. Spectral methods for flows with homogeneous directions. Method to solve a Poisson equation.

3.Boundary layers: laminar, transition-to-turbulence and turbulence modelling. Laminar similarity solutions and solution of Orr-Sommerfeld equation. Analysis of selected turbulence models. Marching schemes for the boundary-layer equations. Topical issues in unsteady applications and the treatment of transition.

4.Turbulence simulation: direct and large-eddy simulation, detached eddy simulation. Grid requirements and post-processing (including flow diagnostics and statistics). Accurate methods for incompressible and compressible governing equations.

5.Aerodynamics case studies. Review of open source software.

6.Revision.

Teaching methods include 24 lectures using a mix of slides, blackboard derivations, and class demonstrations of codes. A further 18 hours of supervised computer laboratories are provided, where students work on coursework exercises. Panopto recordings of the lectures along with the slide deck will be made available on Blackboard wherever possible. Further learning activities include directed reading and individual problem solving.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.