This course introduces a range of advanced topics in aerothermodynamics including experimental techniques, shock fronts, statistical thermodynamics, kinetic theory, and non-equilibrium flows.

2 lectures per week

None

None

Assessment

80% Examination

20% Laboratory report

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below.

The aim of the course is to provide the students with an understanding of the aerothermodynamic and non-equilibrium effects in high enthalpy flows, and some experimental tools used to study their associated flow characteristics.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Critically assess the fundamental unsteady gas dynamic interactions involving shock waves and expansion waves;

■ Evaluate the theory behind, the principles of operation, and the setup of modern experimental techniques, e.g. schlieren and shadowgraphy and critically assess their limitations and advantages;

■ Assess some of the important aspects, limitations and constraints of undertaking aerodynamic experiments, including risk management and safety considerations;

■ Evaluate and critically assess how the principles of quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics must be applied to study high enthalpy flows;

■ Evaluate the limitations of the continuum flow assumption and critically assess the techniques that must be used to numerically and analytically study non-equilibrium gas flows.

Students must attend the degree examination and submit at least 75% by weight of the other components of the course's summative assessment.

Students must attend the timetabled laboratory classes and submit the laboratory report.

Students should attend at least 75% of the timetabled classes of the course.

Note that these are minimum requirements: good students will achieve far higher participation/submission rates.  Any student who misses an assessment or a significant number of classes because of illness or other good cause should report this by completing a MyCampus absence report.