This project contains several resources for instructors of an introductory
aerodynamics course, with application to design of fixed-wing aircraft.
Starting with a simple trajectory analysis of a body including the
aerodynamic forces of drag and lift, students can understand how these
forces are calculated, and how they are used in practical applications,
using the StepByStepTrajectory script.
After the initial introduction, students can use the CompleteFlightTrajectory script to include the forces calculation in a helper function which can be used with ODE solvers for higher accuracy.
Next, potential flow theory is used to derive the basic concepts of
circulation, streamlines, and boundary conditions for lifting bodies.
Basic 2D potential flows can be calculated and visualized in both
Cartesian and polar coordinates using the PotentialFlows script. In this
script students can compute and visualize the flow over a 2D lifting
cylinder. Students also learn valuable techniques for deriving
equations using symbolic math, including derivatives and vector operations.
Finally, potential flow theory can be used to derive the Kutta- Joukowski theorem which relates the overall circulation in the flow field to the lift on the body. Symbolic math is used to demonstrate the role of each term in the integral equation for conservation of vertical momentum, in generating circulation and therefore lift, for the case of the 2D lifting cylinder.
Open the Live Scipt StepByStepTrajectory.mlx
Open the Live Script CompleteFlightTrajectory.mlx
Open the Live Script PotentialFlows.mlx
Open the Live Script KuttaJoukowskiTheorem.mlx
Though these examples were authored by me, we utilized the text book in the class, and it includes the development of the potential flow theory and Kutta-Joukowski theorem. Note that it does not cover trajectory analysis, which is my own addition for teaching practical aerodynamics.
https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Flight-John-Anderson-Jr/dp/0078027675/ref=sr_1_4