China
Africa
Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Aircraft
Published in Milica Kalić, Slavica Dožić, Danica Babić, Introduction to the Air Transport System, 2022
Milica Kalić, Slavica Dožić, Danica Babić
The four forces acting on an aircraft in straight-and-level flight are thrust, drag, lift, and weight (Figure 2.1). Thrust is the force that moves an aircraft in the flight direction, provided by a piston, turboprop, or jet engine. Thrust itself is a force than that can best be described by Newton’s second law. This forward force opposes the force of drag. Drag is the aerodynamic force component parallel to the direction of relative motion. This is a retarding force caused by the disturbance of airflow by the aircraft and its parts. In other words, drag tends to slow the motion of aircraft, and acts opposite to the direction of motion. Lift is a force that is produced by the dynamic effect of the air flow acting on the aerofoil. This force opposes the downward force of weight. Lift represents a component of the aerodynamic force, perpendicular to the direction of aircraft movement through the air, which is equal to or exceeds the weight. Weight is the force that pulls the aircraft downward owing to gravity. When the four forces of flight are balanced, a plane flies in a level direction. The plane climbs if the forces of lift and thrust are greater than gravity and drag. To descend, thrust must be reduced below the level of drag and lift below the level of weight.
Theoretical fundamentals of experimental aerodynamics
Published in Stefano Discetti, Andrea Ianiro, Experimental Aerodynamics, 2017
Andrea Ianiro, Stefano Discetti
Aerodynamics is a branch of physics that studies the motion of air and other gases and the forces acting on solid objects interacting with them. Since its origins, aerodynamics has been strongly connected to aeronautics and great part of early aerodynamic studies was devoted to the development of heavier-than-air flight (see, e.g., [1]). Modern aerodynamics maintains an intimate connection with aeronautics, in particular, to model the principles governing the flight of aircraft, rockets, and missiles and to improve their performances; moreover, aerodynamics is fundamental for the design of wind turbines, automobiles, high-speed trains, and of civil structures, which must withstand strong winds such as bridges and tall buildings.
Force-System Resultants and Equilibrium
Published in Richard C. Dorf, The Engineering Handbook, 2018
Aerodynamics is a subset of fluid dynamics that deals with the flow of air about objects, typically aircraft, missiles, or their components. Much of the work in aerodynamics focuses on the generation of forces and moments on a body due to the air flowing over and through the body. Aerodynamics deals with theoretical and numerical predictions of performance characteristics, experimental determination of performance characteristics, and the design of new and improved geometries using this information. This chapter provides the basic understanding and equations to enable the engineer to calculate the performance of many aerodynamic configurations and interpret aerodynamic data.
Design and fabrication of the subsonic wind tunnel for aeroacoustic measurements
Published in International Journal of Ambient Energy, 2021
Eshwar Bhargav Bhupanam, Salil Bajaj, Eusebious Theodynosious Chullai
The science of aerodynamics concentrates on studying the impact of airflow on solid objects. A wind tunnel is used in aerodynamic research to study the effects of air moving past solid objects. Wind tunnels have been essential in determining the behaviour and development of various models. These tunnels provide with the study of aerodynamic forces, aerodynamic characteristics, pressure distribution and so on. They are largely of different types and configurations. The open circuit is used mainly for small and intermediate tunnels, as shown in Figure 1. The open circuit test section may be without solid boundaries (open jet) or with solid boundaries (closed jet).