Compressible Vortex Identification and Evolution via Reduced Basis Modelling

The Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at the University of Strathclyde is seeking an outstanding and committed fellow to undertake PhD studies in the field of numerical modeling of future aircraft aerodynamics.

The research project aims at studying innovative aircraft configurations by formulating and implementing advanced multifidelity numerical approaches capable of providing accurate but cost effective predictions of complex three-dimensional unsteady
compressible vortical flows.

The research aims at formulating numerical techniques capable to identify and follow the dynamics of the few fundamental flow structures that play the most relevant role in characterizing the aerodynamic interaction of novel aircraft configurations. By evolving in space and time only these few fundamental primitives it would be possible to reduce the computational complexity of the problem while keeping high consistency with the physics of the flow. The project’s goal is to provide accurate predictions of the evolution of unsteady vortices and the establishment of potentially complex shock waves around future aircraft configuration during take-off, landing or during manoeuvres where unsteady wakes, vortices and shock waves may alter significantly the flowfield and become responsible of non-negligible changes in Lift and Drag and might lead to manoeuvrability, safety and/or efficiency constraints/issues.

The project will provide the student with in-depth knowledge of the physics of unsteady, compressible aerodynamics and associated advanced mathematical and numerical models. The student will have the chance to interact with prestigious academic partners (including Stanford University, MIT and SISSA) and industries like Airbus, Bombardier Aerospace and BAE Systems.
The academic supervisor will be Dr Marco Fossati ([Email Address Removed]) and the research will be conducted at the Future Air-Space Transportation Technologies Laboratory (www.strath.ac.uk/fastt) of the Aerospace Centre of Excellence at Strathclyde University.