NPTEL Syllabus

Aerodynamics - Web course

COURSE OUTLINE
Introduction; Analysis of flow past 2D airfoils: Kutta-Joukoski transformation,
Thin airfoil theory, Panel method, Method of lumped vortex and its applications,
multi-element airfoils.
Finite wing theory and its applications; Vortex Lattice method; Boundary layers;
Elements of supersonic Flight; Applied Aerodynamics.

http://nptel.iitm.ac.in

Aerospace
Engineering

COURSE DETAIL

S.No

NPTEL

Topics

No.of Hours
Pre-requisites:

General introduction to Aerodynamics:

Atmosphere, Air speeds, Aerodynamic definitions, Nondimensional parameters.

1. A basic course in Fluid Dynamics

& Gas Dynamics.
Additional Reading:

Types of Drag, General Aerodynamic characteristics of

airfoil sections.

Same as above.
Hyperlinks:

Potential Flows:

8
Will be given with the course material.

Complex potential, Singularities, Conformal mapping,

Kutta-Joukowski transformation and Joukowski airfoil
sections.

Coordinators:
Dr. N. Balakrishnan
Department of Aerospace
EngineeringIISc Bangalore

Blausius integral theorem,Kelvin's circulation theorem.

Generalized Kutta-Joukowski theorem and its
applications, 2D ground effect.

2D Thin airfoil theory:

Starting vortex, Kutta condition, symmetric and

cambered airfoil sections.
Thickness problem for thin airfoils.

2D Panel method: Source and vortex panels.

Viscous effects:

High lift sections, Multi-element airfoils, Natural laminar

flow sections.

Finite wing theory:

Vortex system, Down wash and Induced drag, Lifting
line theory, Elliptical planform.

Applications of Lifting line theory:

Simplified horse shoe vortex, Formation flight,3D

Ground effect, Down wash on tail plane.

Non-linear lifting line theory:

Numerical approach to lifting line theory.

Vortex Lattice method.

10

Swept wings:

Effect of Sweep back, Delta wings in incompressible

flows.

11

Effect of compressibility:

Linear theory, Prandtl-Glauret compressibility

correction.
Critical mach number, Drag divergence, Area rule,
Super critical airfoils.

12

Computational methods:

Potential flows and analysis of transonic flows.

13

Supersonic flows:

Supersonic linear theory, 2D Supersonic flows around

thin airfoils.
Supersonic flow past wings.

14

Applied Aerodynamics:

Aspects of Aerodynamic designs and introduction to

unsteady flows.

Total number of hours

42

References:
1. Bertin and Smith.
2. Plotkin and Kaltz.
3. Houghton and Carpenter.
4. J. D. Anderson.
A joint venture by IISc and IITs, funded by MHRD, Govt of India

http://nptel.iitm.ac.in