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Applied Aerodynamics

Lecture-2,3

Introduction to Aerodynamics
&
Fundamental Thoughts

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 Definition : Aerodynamics
Aerodynamics
Aerodynamics is a branch of fluid dynamics concerned with the
study of forces generated on a body in a flow of air.

The solution of an aerodynamic problem normally involves

calculating for various properties of the flow, such as velocity,
pressure, density, and temperature, as a function of space and
time.

Understanding the flow pattern makes it possible to calculate or

approximate the forces and moments acting on bodies in the flow.
This mathematical analysis and empirical approximation form
the scientific basis for the flight of heavier-than-air objects.
 Fundamental Quantities
 
Pressure: is the normal force per unit area due to the time rate of
change of momentum of the gas at a point on a surface and may
vary from one point to another. Its units are N/m2 or lb/ft2 or atm.

Referring to Fig. 2-1, we consider a point B in a volume of gas.

dA = An incremental area around B
dF = Force on one side of dA due to pressure

The pressure p at point B is defined as:

Fig. 2-1
Pressure is the limiting form of the force per unit area where the
area of interest has shrunk to zero around point B.
 Fundamental Quantities
 Density of a gas or air is defined as the mass of the gas or air per unit volume.
Its symbol is and units are kg/m3 or slug/ft3. Density of a air is same at every
point in a confined volume, however, it decrease with altitude in the
atmosphere around the earth.
Refereeing to Fig.2-2 we consider a point B in a volume of gas.
dv = Elementary volume around B
dm = mass of gas inside volume dv

The density at point B is defined as:

Fig.2-2
Density is the limiting form of the mass per unit volume where the volume of
interest has shrunk to zero around point B.

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 Fundamental Quantities
 
Temperature: Temperature is a measure of the kinetic energy of the particles in a
gas or air.
If KE is the mean molecular kinetic energy, then temperature is given by the
realtion:
where k = Boltzmann constant = 1.38 x 10-23 J/K
It is a point property of fluid, like pressure and density, common units of
temperature are kelvin (K), degree Celsius (0C), degree Rankine(0R), and degree
Fahrenheit (0F)
K = C + 273 and R = F + 460 , K = 1.8 0R

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 Flow Velocity and Streamlines
Flow Velocity is also a point property, it is a vector quantity has magnitude (speed) and the
direction. Its units m/s or ft/sec. Consider the flow of air over an airfoil or the flow of
combustion gases through rocket engine as shown in Fig. 2-3

The velocity at any fixed point B in a flowing gas is the velocity of an infinitesimally
small fluid element as it sweep throw B.

Fig.2-3

Referring to Fig.2-3, as long as the flow is steady, a moving fluid element is seen to trace
out a fixed path in space. This path taken by a moving fluid element is called a streamline
of the flow. Drawing streamlines of the flow field ia an important way of visualizing of the
motion of the gas or air.

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 Flow Field
 The knowledge of the four basic aerodynamic quantities p, , T and V at each
point of the flow defines the flow field. Consider the flow about a sharped-
pointed cone as shown in Fig. 2-4, where the velocity far ahead of the cone Vis
in the x-direction and the cone is also along the x-direction. The four quantities
p, 𝜌, T and V fully define the flow field.

Fig.2-4 8 of 22
 Sources of Aerodynamic Forces
 
The aerodynamics forces exerted by the air flow on the surface of an aircraft or other
flying objects are from the following two sources:
• Pressure distribution on the surface.
• Shear stress or friction on the surface.

Considering Fig. 2-5, pressure exerted by the air or gas on the solid surface of an object is
always normal to the surface, as shown by the direction of the arrows. The length of the
arrow denote the magnitude of the pressure at local point on the surface. The net
unbalance of the varying pressure distribution over the surface create an aerodynamic
force.

The second source, shear stress acting on the surface is defined as force per unit area
acting tangentially on the surface due to friction, it is also a point property. The net
unbalance of the surface shear stress distribution over the surface create an aerodynamic
force.

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Fig.2-5
 Equation of State for a Perfect Gas
 PerfectGas: A perfect gas is one in which intermolecular forces
are negligible. Air at standard conditions can be approximated by
a perfect gas.

The relation among p, , and T for a gas is called the equation of

state and for a perfect gas or air, the equation of state is:

where R is the specific gas constant, for air

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 Unit Systems
 There are two types of units used in Aerodynamics:
• The International System of metric units (SI)
• The English Engineering System

Following table is used for the four fundamental quantities of aerodynamics, Force,
mass and their units for the two systems:
English Engg System SI
p lb/ft2 N/m2
𝜌 slug/ft3 Kg/m3
T 0
R K
R 1716 ft.lb/(slug)(0R) 287 J/(kg)(K)
F lbf Kgf or N
m slug kg
&

1atm = 2116 lb/ft2 = 1.01 x 105 N/m2

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 Specific Volume
 
Specific Volume: The inverse of density is called specific volume v , it is defined as
volume per unit mass. Its units are m3/kg or ft3/slug.

Hence from the equation of state

or

R is the specific gas constant

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Example Problems

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Example Problems

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Thanks