Principal Investigator: Shreyas Narsipur
Led by Dr. Shreyas Narsipur, this project investigated the complex aerodynamic behavior of wings operating in urban environments, with a focus on understanding how building-induced wake flows affect wing dynamics. The research aimed to develop new scaling laws and predictive models for unsteady aerodynamics relevant to urban air mobility applications.
The project began with a comprehensive literature review and computational modeling of flow profiles behind bluff bodies, identifying a critical gap in how urban wake flows are currently understood. Using ANSYS software, the team validated simulations of two-dimensional bluff body wakes and began scaling studies to assess the limitations of Reynolds number-based similarity. Experimental efforts were supported by the installation of a hot-wire anemometer system in the wind tunnel, while delays in pressure sensor delivery were mitigated through alternative measurement strategies.
Key outcomes included the validation of computational methods, the discovery that Reynolds number alone is insufficient to scale wake behavior for non-circular bluff bodies, and the development of a white paper submitted to the NSF-EPSRC program. The project also supported the purchase of 3D printers to fabricate wind tunnel models for future testing.
This pilot study not only advanced fundamental research in fluid dynamics but also established a strong international collaboration with the University of Glasgow. It broadened the PI’s research scope beyond defense applications, opening new pathways for sustainable energy and urban mobility research through agencies like NASA, DoE, and ASSURE.