Title: Computational aerodynamics education at the US Air Force Academy

Authors: Russell M. Cummings

Addresses: United States Air Force Academy, CO, 80840, USA

Abstract: A new undergraduate course in computational aerodynamics was developed several years ago that gives students experience with the modern computational tools of aerodynamics, primarily from an applications perspective. While introducing students to the important computational topics of accuracy and stability, the course stresses the practical tools that computational aerodynamics requires: importance of understanding the physical problem, developing a good grid, checking results for convergence and accuracy, understanding how to accurately simulate flows, and the importance of modern flow visualisation capabilities. A number of 'lessons learned' have resulted from teaching the course, which has led to an evolution of the course contents and software used. An updated description of the course contents and improvements to the course are provided, as well as samples of projects and tutorials used in the course. Provided appropriate attention and support is available, undergraduate students can learn computational aerodynamics at a level that will make them intelligent users of modern computational aerodynamics tools.

Keywords: computational fluid dynamics; CFD; computational aerodynamics; higher education; aerodynamics education; flow visualisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAD.2012.046562

International Journal of Aerodynamics, 2012 Vol.2 No.1, pp.93 - 109

Published online: 30 Oct 2014 *

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