Spring 2011

MECH 516
Aerodynamics
(3 Credits)

In aerodynamics we study the forces and kinematics as air flows over a geometric body.
More often than not the motivation is to understand and predict the lift and drag forces on
bodies as they move through air (or as air passes over them if stationary). We are
particularly interested in the aerodynamics of aero planes, trains, automotive vehicles
but also in the aerodynamics of stationary structures such as tower-cranes, high-rise
buildings, and bridges. In order to find estimates of these forces we will find it necessary
to understand the details of the air flow. We will focus on theories that will simplify our
understanding and our force predictions such as the potential flow theory, thin airfoil
theory, boundary layer theory, compressible flows, and finite wings.
Prerequisites: MECH 314 Fluids; MECH 414 Thermo II
Textbook:
Fundamentals of Aerodynamics by John D. Anderson, 4th edition 2007, McGraw-Hill
References:
Fundamentals of Flight, by Shevell, R. S., 1989 Prentice Hall.
Fundamental Mechanics of Fluids, by IG. Currie, 2nd Ed., McGraw-Hill, 1993
www.efluids.com
Instructor:

Prof. Ghanem.F. Oweis

Office location: RGB 407. Phone 3596
goweis@aub.edu.lb

Office hours:

Tue., Wed., & Thu.: 10:00 am 11:00 am

Graduate Assistant: TBA (Graduate Students Office, SRC Building, 4th Floor)
Meeting place & Time:
Bechtel 539, Tu. & Th. 02:00-03:20 p.m.
Lab sessions will be held in the Wind Tunnel Lab in the new SRB building (TBA)
Course Objectives:
1. To cement the students basic knowledge of the fluid mechanics principles and
demonstrate the range and limitations of their applicability.
2. To cement the students concepts of lift, drag, shear stress, and static pressure.
3. Demonstrate the scope of the field of aerodynamics and introduce its important
nomenclature and concepts and provide a deeper look into its classical theories.
4. To introduce the potential flow theory of flight and show the limitations and
assumptions for its application.
5. To introduce the flow around finite wings and contrast it to 2-D wings.
7. To keep the students abreast with the latest developments in aerodynamics.

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Fall 2011
Course Outcomes
You will have a better understanding of the concepts of fluid dynamics.
You will become familiar with airfoil nomenclature.
You will become familiar with the classical theories of flight.
You will be able to estimate lift and drag forces on airfoils and other geometries
with an understanding of the flow regime limitations.
You will learn about compressible flows and the formation of shock waves on
airplanes.
You will become familiar with an array of current topics in aerodynamics.
General outline
There are three main components for this course:
- In class lectures (instructor)
- In class presentations (teams of 3)
- Experimental and computer components (teams of 3)
Topics
1. Revision of fluid dynamics and introduction of new concepts (3 Wk)

Fluid statics. Aerodynamics forces and moments. Center of pressure.

Dimensional analysis and flow similarity.

How airplanes fly, and airplane anatomy.

Lift and drag. Drag on a 2-D body by momentum integral.

Viscous flow and boundary layers. Inviscid, potential flow theory.

Vorticity and circulation.

2. Inviscid incompressible flow & Potential flow theory (3 Wks)

Bernoullis equation. Venturi, and Pitot tube. Pressure Coefficient.

Potential flow theory. Streamlines

Uniform Flow, Source, Sink, Doublet, Vortex flow.

Flow around a circular cylinder (with and without lift)

Kutta-Joukowski Theorem

Panels method

Real viscous flow example (cylinder flow)

3. Low speed (incompressible) airfoil theory (2 Wks)

Nomenclature

Experimental Data on airfoils

Vortex sheets

Kutta condition

Kelvins circulation theorem and starting vortices

Thin symmetric airfoils

Cambered airfoil
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Fall 2011

Aerodynamic Center
Modern low speed airfoils
Airfoil viscous drag
Real airfoil flow

4. Finite wing theory incompressible (2 Wks)

Downwash and induced drag

Biot-Savart law and Helmholtz theorems

Prandtls lifting line

Applied aerodynamics Delta wing

5. Contemporary topics in aerodynamics - student team presentations (4 Weeks)

Micro air vehicles

Insect flight

Flapping wing aerodynamics

Urban environment aerodynamics

Race car aerodynamics

Train aerodynamics

Wing icing

Vertical take-off aircraft

Drag reduction techniques

Wind turbine aerodynamics

Notes
Two to three laboratory sessions during the semester (2 hours each) will be given
in the Wind Tunnel Lab SRB building.
No late homeworks will be accepted.
Resources for the course include but are not limited to class notes, library course
file, lab sessions, the online Moodle course site, and take-home experiments.
For a 3cr. course you are expected to devote around 9 hours outside the class
each week.
Grading:
Midterm :

35 %

Final exam:
35 %
Experimental report:
10 %
Matlab code report:
10 %
Paper Presentation (team): 10 %
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Tuesday , April 19th, 2011

(same class time and place)
TBA