Reddit reviews Fundamentals of Aerodynamics
We found 8 Reddit comments about Fundamentals of Aerodynamics. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Used Book in Good Condition
Reddit reviews Fundamentals of AerodynamicsWe found 8 Reddit comments about Fundamentals of Aerodynamics. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
>I'm not sure what kinds of other heavy scientific computing you've done, but CFD is a very difficult field and takes years to understand.
CFD isn't this difficult.
On one side you have partial differential equations (PDEs) describing fluid flow. On the other side you have numerical methods used to solve those PDEs. Put the two together, implement it in code, and you get a rudimentary CFD simulation. For CS students, who typically already have knowledge of numerical methods, coding one of these basic simulations can be done within a semester's worth of focused effort. Venturing into finer, more complex domains and trying to model more advanced flow phenomenons do indeed require years of study, but a beginner -- a 3rd year CS undergrad of all people -- has no need to deal with that stuff when all they want to accomplish is to get their feet wet with the inner workings of the simplest CFD simulation.
So let's not intimidate the poor kid and not oversell the profession. A lot of people love pretending like this stuff is black magic, presumably because it promotes job security, but it just isn't. There are lots of people doing CFD that come from CS and Applied Math backgrounds instead of Engineering or Physics. They all started somewhere. So can the OP.
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@ /u/AnotherBrownBike
Khan Academy Physics, Fluid Dynamics lectures are your best friend in this.
I would recommend that you start with getting a decent physical understanding of incompressible (also called divergence-free) advection-diffusion equation. This is a simple PDE that describes how particles (or other quantities like energy) are transferred inside a physical system due to the process of diffusion and advection (aka convection). Solving this equation using a numerical solution method for PDEs (such as finite volume or finite element) will allow you to practice the fundamental underpinnings of a CFD code.
Finite Volume methods are more popular in CFD than finite element methods, because they're mathematically easier for people who have a robust understanding of fluid mechanics. That's not going to be the case for you, because you're not studying fluids academically. I would recommend that you focus on finite element methods instead. These are mathematically more challenging -- using them with fluid PDEs require stabilization terms (like SUPG or GLS) to prevent the solution from oscillating. However, the application of finite element methods to fluid PDEs require essentially no knowledge of the physics behind the PDE. It's pure mathematics, and you as a CS student should be well equipped to handle this.
If you're not familiar with finite element methods for solving PDEs, I would strongly recommend starting with a Python library called FEniCS. This is a brilliant finite element solver that allows you to input the bilinear form of your partial differential equation (Google what "bilinear form" is for finite element methods) in Python and generate a solution. This will allow you to practice the mathematics of finite element methods without getting tangled up in the code implementation of the solution process. Solve the Poisson equation first, and then the advection-diffusion.
Simple solvers you might like working with:
EasyCFD -- Educational program intended to teach the basics of a "black-box" CFD solver.
CFD Python -- A Python program designed with a 12-step lesson plan to solving Navier-Stokes equations.
PyFR -- Another Python-based flow solver. Documentation is a bit sparse, so you need an understanding of how CFD works to use it. But once you have that, PyFR's open-source nature allows you to break apart an actual full CFD solver and look at its components before trying to write your own.
Useful literature you might want to check out from your campus library:
White, Fluid Mechanics and/or Cengel and Cimbala, Fluid Mechanics -- Basically the two beginner level fluid mechanics bibles, depending on who you ask. An overwhelming number of engineers out there have had one or the other as their textbook in school. They're both fantastic. Flip a coin.
Moin, Fundamentals of Engineering Numerical Analysis -- Yet another undergraduate bible, this time on numerical methods commonly used by engineers (of all types). It covers material so crucial in all scientific computing that one of my doctoral qualification examiners specifically requested that I know this book from cover to cover.
Anderson, Computational Fluid Dynamics -- Superb introductory book that covers most everything related to CFD. If you're going to buy anything in this list, buy this one.
Hughes, Finite Element Methods -- The bible on finite element methods. The book focuses on structural applications (which do not require stabilization terms) but the mathematics involved are identical regardless of the physics behind the PDE, so this is still a very useful reference.
Zienkiewicz, Taylor and Nithiarasu, Finite Element Method for Fluid Dynamics -- Great supplement to Hughes' book for anyone using FEM on fluid flow. Covers stabilized methods, starting with easy equations (like advection-diffusion) and scaling up all the way to turbulent flows (which you shouldn't bother with right now).
Anderson, Fundamentals of Aerodynamics -- Just putting this down in case you ever need to specifically learn about aerodynamic applications of fluid flow.
Anderson, Introduction to Flight -- Used nationwide as an introductory aerospace engineering book. I recommend it to everybody outside of the industry who wants to work/study in it. Superfluously covers every aspect of the discipline, from structures to propulsion, from aerodynamics to flight control, from aviation to space.
Panton, Incompressible Flow -- Often used as a graduate level book on theoretical fluid mechanics. Focused mathematical approach. Not an easy read, required some prerequisite knowledge of fluid flow (overview of the fundamentals is very brief), but it's the next logical step up when you're ready to take your fluid work further.
/u/another_user_name posted this list a while back. Actual aerospace textbooks are towards the bottom but you'll need a working knowledge of the prereqs first.
Non-core/Pre-reqs:
Mathematics:
Calculus.
1-4) Calculus, Stewart -- This is a very common book and I felt it was ok, but there's mixed opinions about it. Try to get a cheap, used copy.
1-4) Calculus, A New Horizon, Anton -- This is highly valued by many people, but I haven't read it.
1-4) Essential Calculus With Applications, Silverman -- Dover book.
More discussion in this reddit thread.
Linear Algebra
3) Linear Algebra and Its Applications,Lay -- I had this one in school. I think it was decent.
3) Linear Algebra, Shilov -- Dover book.
Differential Equations
4) An Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations, Coddington -- Dover book, highly reviewed on Amazon.
G) Partial Differential Equations, Evans
G) Partial Differential Equations For Scientists and Engineers, Farlow
More discussion here.
Numerical Analysis
5) Numerical Analysis, Burden and Faires
Chemistry:
Physics:
2-4) Physics, Cutnel -- This was highly recommended, but I've not read it.
Programming:
Introductory Programming
Programming is becoming unavoidable as an engineering skill. I think Python is a strong introductory language that's got a lot of uses in industry.
Core Curriculum:
Introduction:
Aerodynamics:
Thermodynamics, Heat transfer and Propulsion:
Flight Mechanics, Stability and Control
5+) Flight Stability and Automatic Control, Nelson
5+)[Performance, Stability, Dynamics, and Control of Airplanes, Second Edition](http://www.amazon.com/Performance-Stability-Dynamics-Airplanes-Education/dp/1563475839/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315534435&sr=8-1, Pamadi) -- I gather this is better than Nelson
Engineering Mechanics and Structures:
3-4) Engineering Mechanics: Statics and Dynamics, Hibbeler
6-8) Analysis and Design of Flight Vehicle Structures, Bruhn -- A good reference, never really used it as a text.
G) Introduction to the Mechanics of a Continuous Medium, Malvern
G) Fracture Mechanics, Anderson
G) Mechanics of Composite Materials, Jones
Electrical Engineering
Design and Optimization
Space Systems
the wikipedia page. NASA learning website. and then https://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-Aerodynamics-John-Anderson-Jr/dp/0073398101
(dont actually buy it, you can probably find the pdf online)
> This does not have a finite integral in any neighborhood of (0,0).
I think this is the source of the disagreement. He makes the argument that under a limiting process you can compute the curl of the field at the singularity, and show that it is inifinite. However, he uses Stokes' Theorem(2D--so Green's Theorem), to arrive at that conclusion. I've seen this sort of thing in Anderson, and I consider it an abuse of mathematics(which is not uncommon in engineering...).
Aerodynamics is Aerodynamics, whether we are looking at airplanes, helicopters, wind turbines, or race cars... they all act on the same principles.
I would recommend this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-Aerodynamics-Aeronautical-Aerospace-Engineering/dp/0073398101/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342978963&sr=8-1&keywords=aerodynamics
This is the book I learned aerodynamics from, and it gives you great explanations. However, you're going to need to develop a mathematics background to understand even the most basic concepts, but you might be able to figure it out on a more qualitative level just by reading. It's not cheap, but you can look at other editions or international editions that will drive the price waay down.
Aerospace engineering?
I'm not sure if it's required of you, but learning matlab or fortran sooner than later would help.
"Fundamentals of Aerodynamics" by John D. Anderson, Jr. is a great book for information on multiple aerodynamic subjects. I needed it for one class but I'm still using it 2 years later. The newer version is expensive, as always, but you may be able to find an older version online. Hopefully you can see that link. It would be the first link I send to a UK resident that isn't blocked by region...
Taking an interest in flying is also helpful. If you have RC plane or amateur rocket experience; then you have employable experience for certain jobs and hopefully a better understanding of the dynamics of flight and control.
Caffeine. Coffee has been scientifically proven to be the best way to deliver caffeine to your body. During exams, drink liberally.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCK4lJLQHU
https://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-Aerodynamics-John-Anderson-Jr/dp/0073398101