Elements of Aerodynamics A Concise Introduction to Physical Concepts

An accessible and hands-on textbook filled with chapter objectives, examples, practice problems, sample tests, and an online aero-calculator

In Elements of Aerodynamics, Professor Oscar Biblarz delivers a concise and fundamentals-oriented approach to aerodynamics suitable for both undergraduate and graduate-level students. The text offers numerous problems, examples, and check tests, allowing readers to gain and cement their knowledge through hands-on practice.

Using a unique blend of fundamentals, the book provides students with a new approach to high lift airfoils including examples designed to complement the theory. It covers the most vital information on incompressible and compressible flow over two-dimensional and three-dimensional wings. A companion website that includes an interactive aero-calculator and additional student resources makes this a suitable text for online, hybrid, and distance learning.

Readers will also find:

• A concise introduction to units and notation with discussion of the proper usage of dimensionless coefficients in aerodynamics, featuring descriptions of airflow as an incompressible and compressible low-viscosity medium past streamlined wings
• Comprehensive re-evaluation of the fundamentals of fluid dynamics, including the differential control volume approach and formulation of lift, drag, and pitching moments for thin, attached boundary layers over slender wings at high angles of attack
• Practical applications of mass, momentum, and energy relations, derived from Euler’s equation, Bernoulli’s equation, and the Kutta-Joukowski theorem
• Selected treatment of transonic and hypersonic aerodynamic aspects, including supercritical airfoils, the non-linear small perturbation potential equation, Newtonian theory, and hypersonic lift and drag

Well-suited for students enrolled in an introductory aerodynamics course as part of an engineering program, Elements of Aerodynamics will also earn a place in the libraries of physics students and those interested in basic fluid mechanics.

Oscar Biblarz is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, USA. He has over 35 years’ experience teaching and researching aerospace propulsion and fluid mechanics. He holds memberships in the AIAA and the APS. He is coauthor of Rocket Propulsion Elements (with George Sutton) and of Fundamentals of Gas Dynamics (with R. D. Zucker), both published by Willey.

TO THE STUDENT

1              Introduction and Approach

                1.1  Introduction

                1.2  Necessary Assumptions

                1.3  Units

                1.4  Equation of State and Fluid Properties

                1.5  Other Concepts

                Review Questions

                Problems

                Glossary of Terms and Symbols [Arranged Alphabetically]

2              Fluid Dynamic Fundamentals

                2.1  Introduction

                2.2  Objectives

                2.3  Control Volume Approach

                2.4  Lift, Drag and Pitching Moment

                2.5  Dimensional Analysis

                2.6  Small Perturbation Theory in Steady Compressible Flows

                2.7  Summary

                Problems

                Check Test

3              Dynamics of Incompressible Flows

                3.1  Introduction

                3.2  Objectives

                3.3  Elementary Flows

                3.4  Circulation

                3.5  Superposition of Elementary Flows

                3.6  Theorems of Helmholtz and Kelvin

                3.7  Real Flows

                3.8  Summary

                Problems

                Check Test

4              Mass, Momentum and Energy Principles

                4.1  Introduction

                4.2  Objectives

                4.3  Bernoulli's Equation

                4.4  Airspeed Indicator

                4.5  Kutta-Joukowski Theorem

                4.6  Pressure-Energy Equation

                4.7  Enrichment Topics

                4.8  Summary

                Problems

                Check Test

5              Thin Airfoils in Two-Dimensional Incompressible Flow

                5.1  Introduction

                5.2  Objectives

                5.3  The Vortex Filament

                5.4  Thin Airfoil Theory in Incompressible Flow

                5.5  Symmetric Contribution at Angle of Attack

                5.6  Camber Contribution at Zero Angle of Attack

                5.7  Flapped Symmetric Airfoil at Zero Angle of Attack

                5.8  Enrichment Topics

                5.9 Summary

                Problems

                Check Test

6              Thin Wings of Finite Span in Incompressible Flow

                6.1  Introduction

                6.2  Objectives

                6.3  Lifting Line Theory

                6.4  Downwash Velocity and Elliptic Spanwise Lift Distribution

                6.5  Experimental Verification Using Drag Polars

                6.6  Non-Elliptic Planforms and Twist

                6.7  Effects of Lifting Line Theory on Airplane Performance

                6.8  Enrichment Topics

                6.9  Summary

                Problems

                Check Test

7              Viscous Boundary Layers

                7.1  Introduction

                7.2  Objectives

                7.3  The Boundary Layer Concept

                7.4  Contributions to Drag

                7.5  Skin-Friction Drag on Airfoils              

                7.6  Approximate Viscous Boundary Layer Profiles

                7.7  Enrichment Topics

                7.8  Summary

                Problems

                Check Test

8              Fundamentals of Compressible Flow

                8.1  Introduction

                8.2  Objectives

                8.3  Speed of Sound and Mach Waves

                8.4  Steady-State Isentropic Flow

                8.5  Supersonic Flows

                8.6  Critical Mach Number

                8.7  Supersonic Flat-Plate Airfoils

                8.8  Enrichment Topic

                8.9  Summary

                Problems

                Check Test

9              Thin Airfoils in Compressible Flow

                9.1  Introduction

                9.2  Objectives

                9.3  Two-dimensional Compressible Flow Around Thin Airfoils

                9.4  The Mach Number Dependance

                9.5  Supersonic Airfoils

                9.6  Aircraft Wings in Compressible Flow

                9.7  Enrichment Topic

                9.8  Summary

                Problems

                Check Test

10           Transonic and Hypersonic Aerodynamics

                10.1  Introduction

                10.2  Objectives

                10.3  Transonic Flow

                10.4  Thick Airfoils in High Subsonic and Transonic Flight

                10.5  Hypersonic Flow

                10.6  Enrichment Topics

                10.7  Summary

                Problems

                Check Test

11           High-Lift Airfoils in Incompressible Flow

                11.1  Introduction and Approach

                11.2  Objectives

                11.3  Non-linear Thin Airfoil Theory

                11.4  Pitching Moment at c/4 and the Aerodynamic Center

                11.5  High-lift Wing Mechanisms

                11.6  Finite Wings

                11.7  Enrichment Topics

                11.8  Recapitulation

                Problems

                Check Test

APPENDICES

A             Standard Atmosphere S-I Units

B             Software

C             Equations for Chapters 5 and 6

SELECTED REFERENCES

ANSWERS TO SELECTED PROBLEMS

INDEX

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.