Course Title: Aerodynamics I
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2011
Course Code: AERO5389
Course Title: Aerodynamics I
School: 130T Engineering (TAFE)
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6011 - Advanced Diploma of Engineering (Aerospace)
Course Contact : Program Manager
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4468
Course Contact Email:engineering-tafe@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Amir Zokaei Fard
Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4184
Contact Email: amir.fard@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 60
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
MATH5156 Aerospace Mathematics 1
ONPS5098 Aerospace Physics 1
AERO5383 Theory of Flight
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to provide participants with underpinning knowledge of low speed aerodynamic theory, stability and control.
This course develops the fundamental knowledge in the aerodynamic principles of flight including:
• Flight
• Longitudinal, lateral and directional static stability
• Steady, straight, gliding, power, thrust and climb calculations.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VBH736 Aerodynamics I |
Learning Outcomes
1. Measure, draw, discuss and interpret the distribution of aerodynamic forces on a subsonic two dimensional aerofoil.
2. Discuss and perform aerodynamic calculations for airflow boundary layer over flat thin plate.
3. Graph and discuss the relationship between drag, speed and altitude.
4. Perform calculations relating to subsonic airspeed measurement.
5. Observe measure and discuss the effectiveness of various lift augmentation devices.
6. Discuss and graph aspects of aircraft longitudinal static stability and related factors.
7. Discuss and graph factors that affect the lateral and directional stability of an aircraft and perform related calculations.
8. Discuss and perform calculations relating to steady straight and level flight.
9. Discuss and perform calculations relating to steady gliding flight.
10. Discuss, graph and perform calculations involving power and thrust.
11. Discuss, graph and perform aerodynamic calculations for steady climbing flight.
Details of Learning Activities
The learning activities in this course are designed to equip students with knowledge and skills in the principles of subsonic aerodynamics including 2D aerofoil and 3D wing, boundary layers and skin friction, effect of speed and altitude on aircraft drag, measurement of subsonic airspeed, lift augmentation devices, Tail load, aircraft static stability, Analysis of aircraft performance in steady glide and steady climb and, relation between various propulsion system on aircraft performance.
The course will be using a number of means such as lectures, reading tasks and assignments to achieve these objectives.
Lecture: The lectures are 200 minutes long- with two 20 minutes breaks in between- and take place once a week. We lecture mainly using Microsoft® PowerPoint slides, but enhance the material with some active learning exercises.
Readings: The readings will use the recommended textbooks and give an overview of the published literature in the field. Normally readings are assigned at the end of each lecture in preparation of the next lecture.
Assignments: The assignments will challenge the students and ensure that participants apply and deepen the theoretical knowledge from the lectures.
Teaching Schedule
Week 1: Aerofoil recognition; Pressure distribution around a 2D subsonic aerofoil at various angle of attack
Week 2: Calculation of centre of pressure, Lift coefficient and pitching moment coefficient from wind tunnel tests measurement
Week 3: Bernoulli’s equation and subsonic airspeed measurement
Week 4: Boundary layer and aircraft features designed to influence boundary layer flow
Week 5: Relationship between drag, speed and altitude
Week 6: Effectiveness of various lift augmentation devices
Week 7: Revision
Week 8: Mid term exam
Week 9: Tail load calculation
Week 10: Longitudinal static stability
Week 11: Lateral and directional static stability
Week 12: Calculations relating to steady gliding flight
Week 13: Effect of power and thrust on aircraft performance
Week 14: Aerodynamic calculations for steady climbing flight
Week 15: Revision
Week 16: End of term exam
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Bertin, J.J & Cummings, R.M., 2009, Aerodynamics for Engineers, Prentice Hall, ISBN-13 978-0-13-227268
Clancy, L.D., 1986, Aerodynamics, Longman Scientific and Technical, ISBN 0582988802
Haughton E.L., 2003, Aerodynamics for Engineering Students, 5th Edition, Elsevier, ISBN 0-7506-5111-3
Shevell, R.S. 1989, Fundamentals of Flight, Prentice Hall, ISBN 0133390608
Overview of Assessment
To successfully to complete this course the student is required to pass written assessment tasks and demonstrate skills and ability by completing practical tasks to aerospace standards.
Assessment Tasks
You will be assessed in various ways to ensure you meet the requirements of the course. Your ability to explain the
principles of various topics and apply the aerodynamic theory to of fixed wing aircraft will be tested through quizzes,
individual assignments and exam works. Successful graduation from the course is achieved when the student attains at least
50% of total mark AND his/her accumulation of exams marks is NOT less than 50% of total exams mark.
Assessment Matrix
Contribution of each task towards the final result is as follows:
Progress Tests: Progress tests may be of a selected response, short answer, practical, oral or quiz type.
Phase Tests: Two Assignments: 30%
Two Written examination: 70%.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview