Aerodynamics
The discipline of aerodynamics focuses on the investigation of the behaviour of gases when they interact with solid surfaces. The study of aerodynamics is therefore of significance in many areas of industry, including the aerospace, automotive, military, and power generation sectors.
Aerodynamics research in the Thermofluids Group covers both incompressible, low-speed flow, and compressible flow at both high subsonic and supersonic speeds. Experimental projects have been undertaken using the facilities available to the group. Numerical projects have been performed using ALICE.
Projects which have been performed in the group include:
Subsonic Aerodynamics
Surface flow visualisation of a cylinder in cross-flow- Aerodynamic noise propagation from a cylindrical cavity
- Testing for coincidence between fluid-dynamic and acoustic resonance
Transonic Aerodynamics
- Control of cavity flow oscillations by boundary layer injection
- CFD of a transonic linear turbine cascade
- Supersonic cavity flow instability
- White light continuous schlieren for transonic flow visualisation
The image above shows contours of density obtained from a numerical simulation of supersonic cavity flow. Flow is injected into the cavity in order to control flow oscillations in this region. Control of cavity flow oscillations is of high importance for weapons store bays on military aircraft, and in landing gear bays on civilian aircraft.
