Question 1

Given a stream function for a cylinder in a uniform flow with circulation:

R 2 r
= U r sin 1 + ln
r 2 2 R

a) Sketch the flow pattern in terms of streamlines.

[5 marks]

b) Derive an expression for the angular position, , of the front and rear stagnation
points in terms of the circulation, , and the freestream velocity U.
[5 marks]

c) The circulation around a spinning cylinder causes the stagnation points to be

displaced by 30o downwards.

i) Calculate the magnitudes of the flow velocity at the top and bottom of the
cylinder, and the corresponding surface pressure coefficients.
[10 marks]

ii) Using the Kutta-Joukowski Theorem, evaluate the lift coefficient per unit
span.
[5 marks]

Page 1 of 7
AE3203 Aerodynamics May 2007.doc
Question 2

A thin aerofoil has a circular arc camber line with a maximum camber of 2.5%. The
camber line can be approximated by:

y ax x
= 1 where a is a constant.
c c c

Given that the general loading on an aerofoil is given by:

1 + cos
k ( ) = 2U A0 + An sin n
sin n =1

1 dy

where: A0 = d
0 dx

2 dy

and: An = cos nd
0 dx

a) Determine the parameters A0 and An (n=1 to infinity) [9 marks]

b) Derive the equation for the lift coefficient CL in terms of A0 and A1. [9 marks]

c) Calculate the magnitude of constant a, and the zero lift angle of attack, and then sketch
the lift curve. [7 marks]

Hint: Remember the transformation between Cartesian and polar coordinates.

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AE3203 Aerodynamics May 2007.doc
Question 3

A wing of span, b, and a planform area, S, with an elliptic lift distribution, can be
described by the equation below:

2
y
( y ) = 0 1 where y is the spanwise ordinate and s is the span (maximum y).
s

The wing is to be modelled by a horseshoe vortex of strength, 0, and span, b0.

i) Show that for the horseshow vortex model:

b 20 b0
b0 = and CL =
4 V S
[10 marks]

ii) Use the Biot-Savart Law for a straight vortex segment filament, given below,
to show that the vertical velocity, w, induced on the plane of symmetry of the
horseshoe vortex is:

x 2 + (b0 2 )2
w(x ) = 0 1 +
b0 x

where x is the longitudinal distance from the wing quarter chord (positive
downstream).
[10 marks]

iii) Sketch the variation of w with x.

[5 marks]

Page 3 of 7
AE3203 Aerodynamics May 2007.doc
Question 4

For a laminar boundary layer on a flat plate at zero angle of incidence, the velocity
profile is assumed to have a profile:

2
u 2y y
=
U

a) Obtain the relationships for displacement thickness, *, and momentum thickness, ,

in terms of the boundary layer thickness, .
[10 marks]

b) Determine the expression for:

i) how the boundary layer thickness, , varies with the distance from the plate
leading edge, x.
[10 marks]

ii) the variation of momentum thickness, , with distance from the plate leading
edge, x.
[5 marks]

d
Note that: C f = 2 dx

Page 4 of 7
AE3203 Aerodynamics May 2007.doc
Question 5

a) Describe the physical characteristics of a turbulent boundary layer, including a

description of each physical layer, and a plot of the variation between u+ and y+
within a turbulent boundary layer.
[9 marks]

b) For a turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate at zero angle of attack, the boundary
layer velocity profile can be modelled as:

1
u y 7
=
U

Given that the local skin friction coefficient, Cf, is:

0.0468
Cf =
1
Re x 4

where Reynolds number based on distance, x, from the fictitious origin of the
turbulent boundary layer thickness, determine an expression for the variation of
boundary layer thickness, , with x.
[16 marks]

Page 5 of 7
AE3203 Aerodynamics May 2007.doc
Question 6

The diamond-wedge high speed aerofoil shown in Figure Q6 below is to be tested at an

angle of attack of =15o to a Mach 3.0 free stream air flow.

a) Sketch the flow structure around the aerofoil showing all shock waves and
expansion fans.
[6 marks]

b) Using the tables/charts provided, use Shock-Expansion theory to calculate the

pressure ratios; p2/p1, p3/p1 etc. for each surface.
[12 marks]

c) Calculate the theoretical lift and drag coefficients per unit span.
[7 marks]

10o

M1

Figure Q6

Page 6 of 7
AE3203 Aerodynamics May 2007.doc
Question 7

a) An aircraft is flying at a velocity of 240m/s at low altitude, where standard sea level
conditions can be assumed (1.013bar, 288K). Calculate:

i) The Mach number the aircraft is flying at,

ii) The pressure measured by a nose mounted pitot tube,
iii) The static pressure measured at a point on the upper wing surface where the
local velocity is sonic (M=1.0)
iv) The local velocity at this point.
[12 marks]

b) A model of the same aircraft is tested in a wind tunnel which works by inducing
atmospheric air through a smooth contraction into the working section and then into
a low pressure system. If the freestream Mach number in the tunnel working
section is to match the real flight value, calculate:

i) The corresponding static pressure and freestream velocity in the working

section.
ii) The pressure measured by the nose mounted pitot tube.
[10 marks]

c) Given the difference in freestream velocity and model scale between flight and
wind tunnel test, comment on the likely accuracy of the wind tunnel measurements.
[3 marks]

Page 7 of 7
AE3203 Aerodynamics May 2007.doc