A5038734497- Computational Fluid Dynamics and Aerodynamics
- Advanced Aircraft Design and Technologies
- Aerodynamics and Fluid Dynamics Research
- Engineering Education and Curriculum Development
- Biomedical and Engineering Education
- Biomimetic flight and propulsion mechanisms
- Fluid Dynamics and Turbulent Flows
- Cavitation Phenomena in Pumps
- Aerospace Engineering and Energy Systems
- Problem and Project Based Learning
- Fluid Dynamics and Vibration Analysis
- Wind Energy Research and Development
- Turbomachinery Performance and Optimization
- Hydraulic flow and structures
- Plasma and Flow Control in Aerodynamics
- Service-Learning and Community Engagement
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Aerodynamics and Acoustics in Jet Flows
- Education and Critical Thinking Development
- Higher Education Practises and Engagement
- Gas Dynamics and Kinetic Theory
- Advanced Mathematical Modeling in Engineering
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Wave and Wind Energy Systems
- Electric Vehicles and Infrastructure
University of Pretoria
2011-2025
Cranfield University
2024
University of Waikato
2021
Limited research exists on the 3D geometric models and aerodynamic characteristics of Grey-headed Albatross (GHA). Despite existing methods for extracting bird wing cross-sections, few studies consider deflections due to pressure. With GHA known its exceptional flight speed purported wing-lock mechanism, it offers a valuable subject studying fixed-wing aerodynamicsin nature. This study aims develop validate numerical approach estimate GHA's cross-section in flight. The PARSEC method is...
The flight of many birds and bats, their robotic counterparts, occurs over a range chord-based Reynolds numbers from 1 × 10 4 to 1.5 5 . It is precisely this where the aerodynamics simple, rigid, fixed wings becomes extraordinarily sensitive small changes in geometry environment, with two sets consequences. first that practical lifting devices at scale will likely not be wings. second it non-trivial make baseline comparisons for experiment computation, when either one can wrong. Here we...
Abstract Albatrosses are increasingly drawing attention from the scientific community due to their remarkable flight capabilities. Recent studies suggest that grey-headed albatrosses (GHA) may be fastest and most energy-efficient of albatross species, yet no attempts have been made replicate wing design. A key factor in aircraft design is airfoil, which remains uncharacterized for GHA. Other critical aspects, such as twist dihedral/anhedral, also remain unquantified any species. This study...
ABSTRACTABSTRACTThe Engineering Education Research Network in Africa (EERN-Africa) was created to enable connections between practitioners and researchers with a shared interest African engineering education contexts. Recognising the importance of developing an voice research space, EERN-Africa community has interacted dynamic dialogic way our own teaching practices across diverse contexts, ethical commitment democratic inclusive community-building. The objective this paper is reflect on...
It is common for new aircraft configuration proposals to include some kind of lifting body. The reduction in fuselage–wing interference drag, principle, improves span efficiency and hence allows total structural weight. One such proposal involves controlling body circulation by a central trailing-edge flap, though the basic idea has been supported initial wind tunnel tests, there have no further attempts systematically explore design space these wing–body–tail geometries. first purpose this...
Hydrokinetic turbine deployment in inland water reticulation systems such as irrigation canals has potential for future renewable energy development. Although research and development analysing the hydrodynamic effects of these turbines tidal applications been carried out, canal system with spatial constraints leading to possible blockage backwater resulting from have not considered. Some attempts made develop models, but were site-specific performed under constant operational conditions....
Experimental work has shown that the flowfield around a wing-body configuration can be successfully modified with short Kutta edge tail, so named because, by controlling rear stagnation point, circulation about body effectively modified. The precise nature of and interaction were not considered, rather only global effects. Therefore, purpose this study was to investigate lift potential low-drag bodies edges, numerically solving two selected from literature. drag compared experimental...
Purpose A hybrid-electric unmanned aerial vehicle (HE-UAV) model has been developed to address the problem of low endurance a small electric UAV. Electric-powered UAVs are not capable achieving high range and due energy density its batteries. Alternatively, conventional (cUAVs) using fuel with an internal combustion engine (ICE) produces more noise thermal signatures which is undesirable, especially if air required patrol at altitudes remain undetected by ground patrols. This paper aims...
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce a unique technique couple the two-integral boundary layer solutions generic inviscid solver in an iterative fashion.
New aircraft developments are made to improve performance and efficiency. One such method is integrating propulsion into the airframe. This allows for boundary-layer ingestion, which shows promise of significant power benefits. However, these benefits difficult quantify as system body become meticulously integrated. The thrust drag coupled cannot be defined separately, making conventional analysis methods inapplicable. balance (PBM) addresses this by quantifying in terms mechanical flow...
The theoretical benefits of highly integrated propulsion systems are highlighted herein by assessing the potential for energy recovery utilization using actuator disk propulsion. Decomposing aerodynamic forces into thrust and drag closely bodies, particularly those employing boundary-layer ingestion, becomes challenging. In this work, a mechanical energy-based approach was taken power balance method. This allowed performance to be analyzed through flow in fluid domain, disregarding need any...
Purpose The purpose of this study is to re-evaluation fuselage design when the main wing’s has ability fulfill stability requirements without need for a tailplane. aerodynamic usually involve trade-off between reducing drag and providing enough length positioning empennage ensure stability. However, if wing can tailplane, then be re-evaluated. optimisation include also component lift amongst other potential new requirements. Design/methodology/approach A careful investigation...
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation is a computational tool for exploring flow applications in science and technology. Of central importance many scenarios the accurate modeling of boundary layer phenomenon. This particularly true aerospace industry, where it to prediction drag. Modern CFD codes as applied aerodynamic flows have be fast efficient order model complex realistic geometries. When considering viscous typically requires largest part resources. To simulate with most...
Abstract A co-curricular framework for a multinational, vertically integrated engineering design project In South Africa there is need to address the lack of social and contextual relevance existing curricula. Education next generation graduates has potential greatly impact society if their technical expertise are combined with personal professional attributes make them more socially-engaged effective as leaders. Leveraging project-organised curriculum opposed traditional approach proven be...
The Level-up workshop will challenge exclusive and exclusionary models for undergraduate research experiences, it give participants tools to expand serve all students. model associated are adaptable, they have been implemented in 44 colleges universities of varying sizes, settings missions 12 countries.
Optimization studies for improved fuselage designs primarily focus on drag reduction. However, when considering an alternative configuration where the stability requirements are assumed to be fulfilled by main wing, eliminating need a tailplane, design reconsidered. This work considers not only reduction of but ensuring component lift as well energy recovery potential propulsion integration. The numerical modelling approach (turbulence model selection, optimization strategy and application...