Objectives & pre-requisites (AE221)

Objectives: Understand the utility/limitations of the potential flow model, Create/solve simplified mathe-
matical models for incompressible potential flows, Solve 2D & 3D incompressible potential flows using panel
method, Understand the framework/predictions of thin airfoil & finite wing theory, Understand foundations
of boundary layer theory and use it to improve/correct potential flow predictions, Understand the basics of
flow turbulence and the need for turbulence models.
Pre-requisites: Vector calculus, ODE, Fundamentals of fluid mechanics: Equations of motion, Reynold’s
transport theorem, Familiarity with potential flows & elementary potential flow solutions

Grading scheme
Internal marks: Programming assignment + Viva [Weightage 20%]
Written exams(Q1,Q2,ES): Limited open book exam

Courseplan
Equations of motion [3 hrs]

Continuity & Momentum equations, Ideal fluids, Circulation, Kelvin’s theorem, Irrotationality

Potential flow equations [3 hrs]

Velocity potential, Laplace equation, Boundary conditions, Uniqueness of solution, Streamline, Streamfunction

Elementary solutions [4 hrs]

Curvilinear co-ordinates, Source, doublet, poles, vortex lines, vortex theorems, distributed singularities

Panel methods [5 hrs]

Green’s identity, Panel methods, vortex-doublet equivalence, Kutta condition, Panel method algorithm

Thin airfoil theory [8 hrs]

Assumptions, Linearisation of boundary conditions, Aerodynamic characteristics of thin airfoil, CL , CM ,

Aerodynamic center, Lumped vortex

Finite wings [8 hrs]

Boundary conditions, Vortex sheet, wake and bound vortex, induced angle of attack, Induced drag, Elliptic
lift distribution

Viscous fluid flow [6 hrs]

State of stress in a fluid, Stress tensor, Velocity gradient tensor, constitutive relations, Navier Stokes equations

1
Boundary layer [6 hrs]

Non dimensional form of equations, High and low Reynold’s number limits, boundary layer equations,
similarity transformation, Blasius solution, Flakner-skan flow, displacement thickness, Karman integral
solution, Coupling of viscous inviscid flows, intro to linear stability, transition to turbulence, RANS, closure
problem in turbulence

References
Arranged in the order of increasing rigour

Fluid mechanics/Aerodynamics

• Aerodynamics for Engineering Students, Houghton, Carpenter (Soft copy available)

• Fundamentals of aerodynamics, Anderson John D (Book bank copy available)*
• Fluid mechanics, Kundu, Cohen (Soft copy available)*
• Principles of ideal fluid Aerodynamics, K Karamcheti (Soft copy available)*
• Low speed Aerodynamics, Joseph Katz, Allen Plotkin (Soft copy available)*
• Boundary Layer Theory, H.Schlichting (Soft copy available)*
• An introduction to fluid dynamics, Batchelor G K (Soft copy available)

Miscellaneous references

• Common misconceptions in Aerodynamics

• Understanding Aerodynamcis, Doug Mc Lean (Soft copy available)
• NSF videos on Fluid Mechanics
• Introduction to Aerodynamics (Archived course available)

* References used in the course presentation