So much has been written about Frederick W. Lanchester over the years, it is hard to imagine finding something new to discuss about his efforts in aerodynamics. Many of the previous Lanchester Memorial Lectures discussed topics such as wing aerodynamics, aircraft concepts and design, unsteady rotor aerodynamics, aerodynamics research and a wide variety of other related aerodynamic topics. However, there has never been a lecture about Lanchester’s book Aerodynamics as a tool for aerodynamics education in the early 20th century. The lecture will discuss his book relative to other aerodynamics books before and after 1907, and uncover how Lanchester’s book had a very distinct, and important, contribution to make for aerodynamic education.

Stall cells are transverse cellular patterns that often appear on the suction side of airfoils near stalling conditions. Wind-tunnel experiments on a NACA4412 airfoil at Reynolds number ${Re}=3.5 \times 10^5$ show that they appear for angles of attack larger than $\alpha = 11.5^{\circ }\ (\pm 0.5^{\circ })$. Their onset is further investigated based on global stability analyses of turbulent mean flows computed with the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations. Using the classical Spalart–Allmaras turbulence model and following Plante et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 908, 2021, A16), we first show that a three-dimensional stationary mode becomes unstable for a critical angle of attack $\alpha = 15.5^{\circ }$ which is much larger than in the experiments. A data-consistent RANS model is then proposed to reinvestigate the onset of these stall cells. Through an adjoint-based data-assimilation approach, several corrections in the turbulence model equation are identified to minimize the differences between assimilated and reference mean-velocity fields, the latter reference field being extracted from direct numerical simulations. Linear stability analysis around the assimilated mean flow obtained with the best correction is performed first using a perturbed eddy-viscosity approach which requires the linearization of both RANS and turbulence model equations. The three-dimensional stationary mode becomes unstable for angle $\alpha = 11^{\circ }$ which is in significantly better agreement with the experimental results. The interest of this perturbed eddy-viscosity approach is demonstrated by comparing with results of two frozen eddy-viscosity approaches that neglect the perturbation of the eddy viscosity. Both approaches predict the primary destabilization of a higher-wavenumber mode which is not experimentally observed. Uncertainties in the stability results are quantified through a sensitivity analysis of the stall cell mode's eigenvalue with respect to residual mean-flow velocity errors. The impact of the correction field on the results of stability analysis is finally assessed.

Aerothermodynamic characteristics of a sphere in a subsonic flow are calculated over a broad range of gas rarefaction by the direct simulation Monte Carlo method based on ab initio interatomic potentials and Cercignani–Lampis surface scattering kernel. Calculations of the drag and average energy transfer coefficients are performed for various noble gases in the range of Mach number from 0.1 to 1. The obtained results point out that the influence of the interatomic potential is weak in subsonic flows. A comparison of the present results with a linear theory shows that the numerical solutions at Mach number equal to 0.1 are close to those obtained from the linearized kinetic equation in the transitional and free-molecular regimes. In the near-continuum flow regime, the difference between the present solution and the linear theory is significant. To reveal the effects of the gas–surface accommodation, a few sets of the tangential momentum and normal energy accommodation coefficients are considered in simulations. It is shown that the effect of the accommodation coefficients on the sphere drag is not trivial, and, for non-diffuse scattering, the drag coefficient can be either larger or smaller than that for diffuse scattering. The effect of the sphere temperature is also investigated and the calculated values of the average energy transfer coefficient are used to find the Stanton number, recovery factor and adiabatic surface temperature. The numerical results for the sphere drag and energy transfer are compared with the semi-empirical fitting equations known from the literature.

Open rotors can play a critical role towards transitioning to a more sustainable aviation by providing a fuel-efficient alternative. This paper considers the sensitivity of an open-rotor engine to variations of three operational parameters during take-off, focusing on both aerodynamics and aeroacoustics. Via a sensitivity analysis, insights to the complex interactions of aerodynamics and aeroacoustics can be gained. For both the aerodynamics and aeroacoustics of the engine, numerical methods have been implemented. Namely, the flowfield has been solved using unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes and the acoustic footprint of the engine has been quantified through the Ffowcs Williams-Hawking equations. The analysis has concluded that the aerodynamic performance of the open rotor can decisively be impacted by small variations of the operational parameters. Specifically, blade loading increased by 9.8% for a 5% decrease in inlet total temperature with the uncertainty being amplified through the engine. In comparison, the aeroacoustic footprint of the engine had more moderate variations, with the overall sound pressure level increasing by up to 2.4dB for a microphone lying on the engine axis and aft of the inlet. The results signify that there is considerable sensitivity in the model and shall be systematically examined during the design or optimisation process.

The present work aims to extend the capabilities of DUST, a mid-fidelity aerodynamic solver developed at Politecnico di Milano, for the aerodynamic simulation of rotorcraft applications. With this aim, a numerical element was implemented in the solver obtained by a coupling between the potential unsteady vortex lattice method and viscous aerodynamic data of aerofoil sections available from two-dimensional high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations or experimental wind-tunnel tests. The paper describes the mathematical formulation of the method as well as a validation of the implementation performed by comparison with both high-fidelity CFD simulation results and experimental data obtained over aerodynamics and aeroelastic fixed-wing benchmarks. Then, the method was used for the evaluation of the aerodynamic performance of two rotorcraft test cases, i.e. the full-scale proprotor of the XV-15 tiltrotor operating in different flight conditions and two propellers in tandem with overlapping disks. Simulation results comparison with high-fidelity CFD and data from wind tunnel tests highlighted the potentialities and advantages of the implemented approach to be used for the design and investigation of rotorcraft configurations characterised by consistent viscosity effects.

Stable separation is a crucial condition that must be met in order for combined aircraft to successfully engage in cooperative flight. In order to achieve the desired fast and controlled separation, this paper proposes a novel design for a torque-driven compliant separation mechanism. By taking into account the compliance characteristics of a sinusoidal acceleration function curve, a mechanical model for the separation mechanism is developed. By utilising the Coulomb friction law, an accurate determination of the aerodynamic load distribution under various conditions is achieved. Subsequently, the relationship between the unlocking moment and the aerodynamic load is derived based on these findings. Through the utilisation of the finite element method, a model of the separation mechanism is generated. To ensure the safety and reliability of the compliant separation mechanism, the mechanical properties of the structural materials are thoroughly analysed under the maximum aerodynamic load. Subsequently, the separation mechanism structure is constructed and subjected to testing in order to showcase the compliance characteristics. In addition, this paper conducts a simulation to analyse the impact of flight speed and angle-of-attack on the separation process. By doing so, the optimal conditions for separation are determined. The methods and findings presented in this study have the potential to contribute valuable insights to the design of combined aircraft.

Changes in flight stability characteristics at the advanced stage of aircraft design are complex and require thorough investigations. This paper examines the impact of wing strake modification on high-performance aircraft using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The dynamic behaviour is calculated using the forced oscillation technique, while the effect of geometric variation on longitudinal stability characteristics is extensively studied. Steady-state experimental data is utilised to validate the computational setup. Static aerodynamic coefficients, dynamic stability derivatives and the positions of aerodynamic and pressure centres are employed to quantify the changes. Furthermore, the alterations in stability characteristics are correlated with flow physics. The results indicate a reduction in longitudinal static and dynamic stability at various flight conditions due to the proposed modification. This deliberate reduction was necessary to accommodate the installation of a fly-by-wire system. The discussed design changes have been effectively implemented on an in-service aircraft.

Shock waves are of great interest in many fields of science and engineering, but the mechanisms of their formation, maintenance and dissipation are still not well understood. While all transport processes existing in a shock wave contribute to its compression and irreversibility, they are not of equal importance. To figure out the roles of viscosity and heat conduction in shock transition, the existence of smooth shock solutions and the counter-intuitive entropy overshoot phenomenon (the specific entropy is not monotonically increasing and exhibits a peak inside the shock front) are theoretically and numerically investigated, with emphasis on the effects of viscosity and heat conduction. Instead of higher-order hydrodynamics, the Navier–Stokes formalism is employed for its stability and simplicity. Supplemented with nonlinear thermodynamically consistent constitutive relations, the Navier–Stokes equations are adequate to demonstrate the general nature of shock profiles. It is found that heat conduction cannot sustain strong shocks without the presence of viscosity, while viscosity can maintain smooth shock transition at all strengths, regardless of heat conduction. Hence, the critical role in shock compression is played by viscosity rather than heat conduction. Nevertheless, the dispensability of heat conduction would not compromise its essential role in the emergence of an entropy peak. It is the entropy flux resulting from heat conduction that neutralises the positive entropy production and thus prevents the decreasing entropy from violating the second law of thermodynamics. This mechanism of entropy overshoot has not been addressed previously in the literature and is revealed using the entropy balance equation.

The wake of two tandem square cylinders of identical width (d) is experimentally studied, with a view to understanding the dependence of the flow structure, aerodynamics forces and Strouhal number on the centre-to-centre spacing ratio L/d and Reynolds number Re, where L is the distance between the cylinder centres. Extensive measurements are carried out, using hot-wire, particle imaging velocimetry, laser-induced fluorescence flow visualization, surface-oil-flow visualization and surface pressure scanning techniques, for L/d = 1.0 ~ 5.0 and Re ≡ U∞d/ν = 2.8 × (103 ~ 104), where U∞ is the free-stream velocity and ν is the kinematic viscosity of the fluid. The flow is classified into four regimes, i.e. the extended-body (L/d ≤ 1.5–2.0), reattachment (1.5–2.0 < L/d < 2.7–3.2), co-shedding (L/d ≥ 3.0–3.4) and transition (2.7 ≤ L/d ≤ 3.3) where both reattachment and co-shedding phenomena may take place. The mean drag and fluctuating drag and lift exhibit distinct features for different flow regimes, which is fully consistent with the proposed flow classification. Comparison is made between this flow and the wake of two tandem circular cylinders, which provides valuable insight into the profound effect of the flow separation point and the presence of sharp corners on the flow development and classification.

The aerodynamic performance of a wing model with a row of distributed engines are investigated at the vertical take-off condition. The engines are installed near the trailing edge of the wing. During vertical take-off, the jets exit from the engines and impinge perpendicularly to the ground, providing a thrust for the aircraft. Due to the ground effects, complex vortex structures are induced by the jets. The vortices are categorised into the spanwise vortices and the chordwise vortices. The underwing vortices can lead to low-pressure regions on the lower surface of the wing, resulting in an undesirable downward force. The underwing vortex structures are affected by the ratio of the engine distance to the engine diameter ($S/D$). At a small $S/D$ = 1.10, the flow field is dominated by the spanwise vortices; at a large $S/D$ = 2.78, the flow field is dominated by the chordwise vortices. The range and strength of the spanwise vortices are affected by the vortices interaction. Competition mechanism exists between the range and strength effects, which results in the non-linear variation of the wing lift coefficient with engine spacing. The details of the flow physics underneath the wing and its mechanism on the lift of the wing during take-off are investigated.

Gust response has consistently been a concern in engineering. Critical theories have been proposed in the past to predict the unsteady lift response of an airfoil experiencing vertical gusts by Atassi, and longitudinal gusts by Greenberg. However, their applicability for an airfoil with non-zero angles of attack still needs clarification. Thus, force measurements are conducted to examine these theories’ validity and quasi-steady corrections are applied to compensate potential disparities between the idealised and real flow conditions. Velocity measurements are performed to scrutinise the effect of gusts on the flow around the airfoil, and subsequently to reveal the underlying mechanism governing the airfoil's response to gust-induced perturbations. In the study, two pitching vanes are arranged upstream to generate periodic vertical and longitudinal gusts, whereas a downstream airfoil with angles of attack of 0–12° is subjected to two gust types. It is found that Greenberg's theory demonstrates superior predictive capability in pre-stall regimes, with the potential for its effectiveness to be expanded to post-stall regimes through theoretical refinements. In contrast, Atassi's theory exhibits significant deviations from experimental outcomes across the measured angles of attack. Nevertheless, a modified version of the theory aligns better with experimental results at small angles of attack, whereas substantial discrepancies persist as the angle of attack increases. In the pre-stall regime, the aerodynamic response of the airfoil to vertical gusts displays a linear correlation with the flow angle near the leading edge. In the post-stall regime, the vertical gust induces dynamic stall of the airfoil. The flow angle has an essential effect on the lift coefficient but it alone is inadequate to dictate the trend of the lift coefficient. The vorticity statistics show that negative vortex circulation strongly correlates with the lift coefficient. Thus, further correction of the theory or a new vortex model can be expected to predict the lift variation.

Large eddy simulations are performed to investigate the impact of a solid obstacle on the flow around a multiperforated plate typical of aeronautical combustion chambers. The reference configuration is a perforated plate with approximately 200 holes immersed between a cold vein and hot vein at a typical operating point of helicopter combustors. The micro-jet Reynolds number is of the order of 4000, while the blowing and momentum ratios are close to 4 and 8, respectively. A variant configuration is considered that features an additional cylindrical obstacle located in the cold vein and mimicking a spark plug. The study reveals that, downstream of the obstacle, the cooling effectiveness of the plate is reduced by approximately 40 % compared with the reference case, mainly due to the absence of perforation at the obstacle location. The mass flow rate within the holes in the wake produced by the obstacle is reduced by 7 %, which is likely to locally influence the plate cooling. The reduction is attributed to the wake's pressure loss and its impact on the discharge coefficient. Additionally, the cooling effectiveness outside the wake shows a 5 % increase that can be linked to the mass flow rate increase within corresponding holes.

This work presents an experimental investigation focused on the analysis of aerodynamic properties between two interacting spheres in a supersonic rarefied flow. Atmospheric re-entries of space debris, whether natural or man-made, begin at altitude 120 km, and observations of historical re-entries have shown that fragmentation occurs between 90 and 50 km. The resulting fragments interact with each other, altering their own trajectories while traversing the different flow regimes between the free molecular and continuum regimes. This study focuses on the intermediate slip regime, where viscous effects of varying magnitude can influence the nature of the interactions of the shocks and modify them from the already known behaviour in the continuum regime. Specifically, this study examines how two spheres interact with each other upon re-entry into the atmosphere, focusing particularly on the six types of shock/shock interactions identified by Edney. The experiments were performed in the MARHy wind tunnel, in a steady Mach 4 laminar flow with static pressure 2.67 Pa. To highlight the differences between the six types of interferences, a variety of set-ups and devices were used: flow-field visualization, aerodynamic forces (through two diagnoses, aerodynamic balance and the swinging sphere technique) and wall pressure measurements. Results demonstrate the identification of differences according to the type of interference observed, showing in particular the viscous effect of rarefied flows by making a comparison with the continuum regime.

The unsteady flow behaviour of two side-by-side rotors in ground proximity is experimentally investigated. The rotors induce a velocity distribution interacting with the ground causing the radial expansion of the rotor wakes. In between the rotors, an interaction of the two wakes takes place, resulting in an upward flow similar to a fountain. Two types of flow topologies are examined and correspond to two different stand-off heights between the rotors and the ground: the first one where the height of the fountain remains below the rotor disks, and a second one where it emerges above, being re-ingested. The fountain unsteadiness is shown to increase when re-ingestion takes place, determining a location switch from one rotor disk to the other, multiple times during acquisition. Consequently, variable inflow conditions are imposed on each of the two rotors. The fountain dynamics is observed at a frequency that is about two orders of magnitude lower than the blade passing frequency. The dominant characteristic time scale is linked to the flow recirculation path, relating this to system parameters of thrust and ground stand-off height. The flow field is analysed using proper orthogonal decomposition, in which coupled modes are identified. Results from the modal analysis are used to formulate a simple dynamic flow model of the re-ingestion switching cycle.

Lateral jets are used to control the missiles and re-entry vehicles at high altitudes. The objective of the research paper is to investigate the effect of lateral jet interaction with the external flow on a blunted nose cone re-entry vehicle configuration and its flight speed. Structured mesh is used for the simulations, and the computational analysis is carried out by Ansys Fluent solver. The simulation results are validated, and the same methodology used for the parametric analysis. Simulations have been carried out at an external flow Mach number 6, 8.1, 12 and 16 at five degree angle-of-attack for jet-off and jet-on conditions. At 8.1 Mach number, the normal force coefficient is decreased by 45.6% due to jet interaction. The lateral jet interaction effectively reduces the nose down pitching moment. At 8.1 Mach number, the pitching moment coefficient was reduced by 48% with the jet-on condition compared to the jet-off condition.

Six patents were secured by E. H. Lanier from 1930 to 1933 for aeroplane designs that were intended to be exceptionally stable. A feature of five of these was a flow-induced “vacuum chamber” which was thought to provide superior stability and increased lift compared to typical wing designs. Initially, this chamber was in the fuselage, but later designs placed it in the wing by replacing a section of the upper skin of the wing with a series of angled slats. We report upon an investigation of the Lanier wing design using inviscid aerodynamic theory and viscous numerical simulations. This took place at the 2005 Australia–New Zealand Mathematics-in-Industry Study Group. The evidence from this investigation does not support the claims but, rather, suggests that any improvement in lift and/or stability seen in the few prototypes that were built was, most probably, due to thicker airfoils than were typical at the time.

Energy-harvesting systems in complex flow environments, such as floating offshore wind turbines, tidal turbines and ground-fixed turbines in axial gusts, encounter unsteady streamwise flow conditions that affect their power generation and structural loads. In some cases, enhancements in time-averaged power generation above the steady-flow operating point are observed. To characterize these dynamics, a nonlinear dynamical model for the rotation rate and power extraction of a periodically surging turbine is derived and connected to two potential-flow representations of the induction zone upstream of the turbine. The model predictions for the time-averaged power extraction of the turbine and the upstream flow velocity and pressure are compared against data from experiments conducted with a surging-turbine apparatus in an open-circuit wind tunnel at a diameter-based Reynolds number $Re_D = 6.3\times 10^5$ and surge-velocity amplitudes up to 24 % of the wind speed. The combined modelling approach captures trends in both the time-averaged power extraction and the fluctuations in upstream flow quantities, while relying only on data from steady-flow measurements. The sensitivity of the observed increases in time-averaged power to steady-flow turbine characteristics is established, thus clarifying the conditions under which these enhancements are possible. Finally, the influence of unsteady fluid mechanics on time-averaged power extraction is explored analytically. The theoretical framework and experimental validation provide a cohesive modelling approach that can drive the design, control and optimization of turbines in unsteady flow conditions, as well as inform the development of novel energy-harvesting systems that can leverage unsteady flows for large increases in power-generation capacities.

In the early era of aviation, Frederick Lanchester was both an inventor and a theoretician driven by the need for a theory of flight that would reduce the guesswork in designing new aircraft. His book Aerodynamics in 1907 laid down the early foundations of such a theory. The theory with contributions from others, notably Ludwig Prandtl, was refined to become the basis for the sleek designs of WWII aircraft brought about with little guesswork. New technology changed aircraft design radically with the increased speed of jet propulsion reaching into the transonic range with nonlinear aerodynamics. In the late 1940s and early 1950s substantial guesswork returned to aircraft design. The legacy of Lanchester et al., however, lived on with the development of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) that could guide designers through nonlinear transonic effects. This article presents a historical sketch of how CFD developed, illustrated with examples explaining some of the difficulties overcome in the design of the first-generation swept-wing transonic fighters. The historical study is forensic CFD in search for the likely explanation of the designer’s choice for the wing shape that went into production a long time ago. The capability of current CFD applied to the aerodynamics of aircraft with slender wings is surveyed. The cases discussed involve flow patterns with coherent vortices over hybrid wings and wings of moderate sweep. Vortex-flow aerodynamics pertains to understanding the interaction of concentrated vortices with aircraft components. Modern Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) technology is useful to predict attached flow. But vortex interaction with other vortices and breakdown lead to unsteady, largely separated flow which has been found out of scope for RANS. Direct simulation of the Navier-Stokes equations is out of computational reach in the foreseeable future, and the need for better physical modeling is evident. Both cruise performance and stalling characteristics are influenced by strong interactions. Two important aspects of wing-flow physics are discussed: separation from a smooth surface that creates a vortex, and vortex bursting, the abrupt breakdown of a vortex with a subsequent loss of lift. Vortex aerodynamics of not-so-slender wings encounter particularly challenging problems, and it is shown how the design of early-generation operational aircraft surmounted these difficulties. Through use of forensic CFD, the article concludes with two case studies of aerodynamic design: how the Saab J29A wing maintains control authority near stall, and how the Saab J32 mitigates pitch-up instability at high incidence.