A New Approach to Teaching Compressible Flow

At Kettering University, a new course in modern compressible flow was introduced at the undergraduate and graduate level for mechanical engineering students. The course incorporated analytical, computational and experimental techniques and analysis. Students learned fundamental concepts in gas dynamics, as well as developing the ability to solve basic problems using commercial CFD codes. Threaded throughout the course were segments where the students learned experimental techniques and analysis, and used those techniques to validate analytical and computational results. Toward the end of the course, the students selected an applied research project, and conducted an experimental investigation involving flow-induced noise generated by flow over a component similar to that found on the exterior of a vehicle. This paper addresses the process and techniques used to conduct this type of course. Samples of the students’ work are also presented.