Aerodynamics

Vlado

Aerodynamics of an object:in try of reducing air drag with simulating different versions and simulations of a virtual object in air tunnel; improving it's aerodynamics - in purpose of enabling faster traveling but again trying to keep it safe. Air tunnel simulation basically - how would an object react depending on the material used and its shape/structure? How much does air affect its possible movement? And the direction of the 'blowing' and the movement of the object affects the simulation result. The idea started watching F1 'cars' - which try to use lighter materials so the weight doesn't affect speed, but also to improve very crucial factor - the aerodynamics of the vehicle. Must point out that this model would be based on the physics principles-so its that is the science side of it.

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerodynamics - Wikipedia tells it all about the aerodynamics, one should know. Some ideas about modeling could be obtained.
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_tunnel - At the lower part of the site - it talks about visualizing the results and the whole simulation of the wind tunnel. Interesting.
• http://www.archiseek.com/content/showthread.php?t=5481 - This link provides multiple links (e.g. http://www.ansys.com/products/cfx.asp Ansys - fluid dynamics) of the software which might be used for modeling such situations described. -It is not freeware, but could be perhaps achieved for education purposes.
• I found another link - which contains some free and simple simulators of some stuff related to airplane modeling - its from NASA and it contains some guides also.

http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/freesoftware_page.htm

• I have downloaded 3 software's out of the all offered - they're the simulators of different flying situations; from the engine throttle to the air flow around the wing. Might be helpful. Those are:

**EngineSim **EngineSimr **FoilSim

When the files are downloaded; after unpacking them, they contain Java based simulations, which we open in our browser.

** "Make your own Wind Tunnel" I went through interesting links - depending on what we want to achieve this might help. http://sln.fi.edu/flights/first/makesimple/index.html

Rocket Modeling

http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/rocket/rktsim.html

• Rocket Modeler II

http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/rocket/ienzl.html

• Rocket Thrust Simulator

http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/rocket/atmosi.html

• Atmospheric Effects Simulator

The 3 basic simulators of the rocket flight - a rocket model. Besides computer simulation, there could be guides followed up to manufacture a real life water rocket (e.g.) which could fly around; possible lab.

Rocket Activities http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/rocket/TRCRocket/RocketActivitiesHome2.html

Some of the classroom rocket activities are described on that site;following the links posted there could lead to further guides. It includes the above mentioned Water Rocket, comparing real rockets with the ones we create, and similar experiments.

3D Water Rocket Simulator http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/rocket/BottleRocket/Install_sim.htm

Free download - possibly very useful(will look into it). - *Update on 3D simulator: Still under development - the link above is for Java 2 and Java 3D download. Could be available at the time we need it, so I will keep the link around.

http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/rocket/BottleRocket/educator.htm

• Educator section - worth reading.

Comments

Pros:

• Interesting and hits physics, area we want to include
  • Computational fluid dynamics
• Very clearly modeling - trying to see how something will behave on a track or something

Cons:

• Might be difficult to simulate a wind tunnel

Comments:

• Potentially model paper airplanes
  • Can build anything they want, very hands on engineering
• Potentially build car models (little cars)
• Real life application: Pringles chips

To Do

• Check out Nasa's Rocket Modeler. They could simulate the rocket in software and then try to replicate the results outside with a real rocket.
• Make sure there's something we can bring it back to the real world, too, with whatever direction we end up going with this.
• Look at what you can find for a model airplane simulation: slightly easier if we're just using paper airplanes.
• Narrow it down to a few possibilities to go forward with.