Abstract

Aerodynamic optimization is a key step in designing planes, cars, and even buildings. Numerical modeling is used to automate the optimization process and can use different methods to iterate through designs. In this process, consideration of the starting design is paramount as a poor choice can use up computational time and effort. Often, these designs are made with the intention of being out in the open, for which studies on shape variations in freestream situations abound. However, for the case where an object must be placed in the wake of another, there is little research. The study presented here aims to help fill this gap, starting with a case of an elliptical fairing design placed around a cylinder in the wake of a D shaped tube. The fairing itself is parameterized to gain an understanding of how its shape and relative location to the D-tube influence both the fairing itself and the D-tube. The evaluations are done using numerical models that are both validated and measured for uncertainty. Following that, the results are used to provide an initial fairing design for a real case, that being of an instrument on NASA's Dragonfly drone. The example is also used to provide a brief comparison to the trends seen in the 2D characterization as compared to trends seen in freestream design. In total, this research aims to provide a starting point for understanding how design choices affect the aerodynamics of a fairing in a bluff body wake.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2022

Semester

Summer

Advisor

Kinzel, Michael

Degree

Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering (M.S.A.E.)

College

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Degree Program

Aerospace Engineering; Thermofluid Aerodynamic Systems

Identifier

CFE0009144; DP0026740

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0026740

Language

English

Release Date

August 2022

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

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