5 ECTS credits
140 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4016296FNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.
This course introduces the fundamental concepts of aerodynamics, mainly for applications in aeronautical engineering.
The course consists of two major parts, incompressible and compressible flow over aerofoils and wings (prof. De Troyer) and compressible flow and shock waves (prof. Runacres).
Part A: Incompressible and compressible flow over aerofoils and wings
Part B: Compressible flow and shock waves
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).
The valid course description for ULB can be found at the following link : MECA-Y402. Change the language to English in the dropdown menu on top of the page.
Alternating titulars: VUB-side (T. De Troyer / M. Runacres) and ULB-side
Level: specialized
Additional material:
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. zie: http://www.ntu.edu.sg/home/mdamodaran/m447/M447_olr.htm
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.
- 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 aerrofoil, 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 succesfully 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 simplications behind the used methodologies.
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 schematize and 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.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 90% of the final mark.
PRAC Report determines 10% of the final mark.
Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the PRAC Report category, the following assignments need to be completed:
The evaluation consists of a written exam (90% of the total mark) and the realisation of the lab objectives + labreport (10% of the total mark).
The exam consists
The exams are both closed book, but a formula sheet may be used.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Electromechanical Engineering: Aeronautics and Aerospace (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Electromechanical Engineering: Aeronautics