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Fluid Dynamics
Motivation
Why does a golf ball have dimples? What makes a curve ball curve? How did
flow-induced vibrations lead to the collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge?
These questions and others will be used in this simulation module to
motivate interest in fundamental physical issues relevant in flows past
bodies of widespread interest, including aircraft, baseballs, pumps,
parachutes, and suspension bridges.
Issues addressed will include: the generation of lift by airfoils
and spinning spheres; stall (loss of lift) by airfoils at large angle of
attack; tip vortices produced by aircraft wings and pump blades;
cavitation (localized boiling in isolated low-pressure regions of
liquid flows); bluff-body aerodynamics; flow-induced vibrations due to
vortex shedding; and laminar and turbulent flows.
The goal of the module is to facilitate exploration and understanding
of essential physical aspects of fluid flows in common applications
and in nature. Key concepts to be addressed include: the effects of
inertia and viscosity; the no-slip condition at solid surfaces; the
`separation' of flow from a surface that arises in many practical and
significant situations; the prevalence of vortex-dominated flows; the
fundamental differences between laminar and turbulent flows; the roles
of pressure and friction forces in determining the drag on a body.
Existing Research Simulations
Research simulations currently exist for the following: the generation
of lift by airfoils and spinning spheres; stall (loss of lift) by
airfoils at large angle of attack; tip vortices produced
by aircraft wings and pump blades; cavitation (localized boiling
in isolated low-pressure regions of liquid
flows); bluff-body aerodynamics; flow-induced vibrations due to vortex
shedding; and laminar and turbulent flows.
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This page is maintained by Simeon Warner
Last updated 3 June 1996