Low-Speed Aerodynamics

A treatment of low-speed aerodynamics, covering both theory and computational techniques, first published in 2001.

Joseph Katz (Author), Allen Plotkin (Author)

9780521665520, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 5 February 2001

630 pages, 398 b/w illus. 3 tables
25.3 x 18.1 x 3.3 cm, 1.1 kg

'… a significant contribution to the aerodynamic literature. Several of my students have been able to begin their research careers in aerodynamics by reading and digesting this book. It is certainly a significant contribution to modern aerodynamic theory and numerical computation of aerodynamics flows over both simple 2-D and complex 3-D shapes.' Journal of Fluids Engineering

Low-speed aerodynamics is important in the design and operation of aircraft flying at low Mach number, and ground and marine vehicles. This 2001 book offers a modern treatment of the subject, both the theory of inviscid, incompressible, and irrotational aerodynamics and the computational techniques now available to solve complex problems. A unique feature of the text is that the computational approach (from a single vortex element to a three-dimensional panel formulation) is interwoven throughout. Thus, the reader can learn about classical methods of the past, while also learning how to use numerical methods to solve real-world aerodynamic problems. This second edition has a new chapter on the laminar boundary layer (emphasis on the viscous-inviscid coupling), the latest versions of computational techniques, and additional coverage of interaction problems. It includes a systematic treatment of two-dimensional panel methods and a detailed presentation of computational techniques for three-dimensional and unsteady flows. With extensive illustrations and examples, this book will be useful for senior and beginning graduate-level courses, as well as a helpful reference tool for practising engineers.

1. Introduction and background
2. Fundamentals of inviscid, incompressible flow
3. General solution of the incompressible, potential flow equations
4. Small disturbance flow over three-dimensional wings: formulation of the problem
5. Small disturbance flow over two-dimensional airfoils
6. Exact solutions with complex variables
7. Perturbation methods
8. Three-dimensional small disturbance solutions
9. Numerical (panel) methods
10. Singularity elements and influence coefficients
11. Two-dimensional numerical solutions
12. Three-dimensional numerical solutions
13. Unsteady aerodynamics
14. The laminar boundary layer
15. Enhancement of the potential flow model
Appendices.

Subject Areas: Aerospace & aviation technology [TRP], Mechanical engineering [TGB], Applied mathematics [PBW]