NG3S311 - Aerodynamics & Propulsion 01 Apr 2025 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 4

Associated Module Information

Module Code: NG3S311
Module Title: Aerodynamics & Propulsion
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Engineering
Faculty Sub Group: Aeronautical Engineering
Module Leader: Ilias Lappas
Module Team: Rukshan Navaratne, Ewen Constant
First Intended Intake: SEP 2016 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100428 - aerodynamics
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 4
Valid From 01 Apr 2025
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

This module builds upon the fundamental principles of aerodynamics established in Thermofluids 1&2, by introducing the more advanced phenomenology of incompressible and compressible flows with a particular focus on how they apply to air vehicles.

To provide students a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of aircraft propulsion systems and the ability to analyse the key performance parameters of modern gas turbines.

Content Summary

Aerodynamics
• Incompressible flows over aerofoils and finite wings
• Helicopter aerodynamics
• Potential Flow
• Navier Stokes equations
• Boundary layers
• Introduction to gas dynamics and compressible flow
• Flow through nozzles, Mach number.
• Supersonic flows

Propulsion
History of Propulsion Systems;
• GT Development
o Fundamentals of aircraft propulsion: requirements and background;
o generation of thrust in a jet engine;
o the gas turbine cycle; principle and layout of jet engines; selection of bypass ratio; dimensional analysis; component characteristics; engine matching for off design
• Turbomachinery Aerodynamics
o Axial compressor and turbine description and design parameters; number of stages and loading considerations; velocity triangles; analysis of conditions away from mid-span; blade profile definition (simple sketches with main features); introduction to turbine blade cooling.
• Engine Performance Parameters
o Net Thrust, Specific Thrust,
o Specific Fuel Consumption, Thermal Efficiency, Propulsive Efficiency and Overall Efficiency
o Rocket propulsion
o Introduction to Ram jet, Pulse jet and Rocket engine

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 38
Tutorial 6
Practical classes and workshops 6
Independent Study 150
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Able to analyze and solve a range of problems in aerodynamics.
LO2 Able to understand the performance indicators of typical aircraft engines and perform the relevant engine cycle analysis.

Module Requisites

Code Title Requisite Type
MOD008373 Thermofluids 2 pre-requisite
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Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Written Examination Written Examination - Open Book (Unseen) 1 Unseen examination 180 N/A 70 No 40
Written Assignment (CW) Report (CW) 1 Individual Report - Wind tunnel, or Propulsion rig lab, or performance simulation 0 3000 30 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Written Examination - Open Book (Unseen) 1
Report (CW) 1

Reading List

Aerodynamics for engineering students. Houghton, E. L. and Carpenter, P.W. 5th ed. Oxford ; Boston : Butterworth-Heinemann, 2003.

 

Jet Propulsion : A Simple Guide to the Aerodynamics and Thermodynamic Design and Performance of Jet Engines; by Nicholas Cumpsty, 2nd Edition Publisher Cambridge, U.K. ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2003. ISBN 0521541441

 

Elements of Gas Turbine Propulsion byJack D. Mattingly, McGraw-Hill Series in Mechanical Engineering, Publisher New York ; London : McGraw-Hill, 1996. ISBN 0079121969.

 

Jet Engines, Fundamentals of Theory Design and Operation by Klaus Hunecke, 1997

 

Gas Turbine Theory by H.I.H Saravanamuttoo, G.F.C. Rogers, H. Cohen, 6th Edition Cambridge Press

Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, J.D. Anderson Jr, 5th edition McGraw-Hill Higher Education , 2011

Principles of Helicopter Aerodynamics, J. Gordon. Leishman, 2nd edition, Cambridge University Press, 2006