Aerodynamics

DEPARTMENT:

The Aerodynamics department of SRT (Sapienza Rocket Team) aim to study and analyze the air flow around the rocket-model. The goal of these studies is to predict the position of CoP (Center of Pressure) and as well as all aerodynamics force coefficients and body force coefficients.

The Center of Pressure is the point where the aerodynamic forces acting on a body are concentrated. Understanding where this point is located and how it shifts along the rocket allows for the evaluation of moments, which is essential for assessing static stability.

Aerodynamics coefficients , such as CD or CL , are also important to estimate the behavior of the rocket. In particulare,

CFD Simulation with OpenFOAM:

This section provides a practical approach to CFD. The following pages will guide you through setting up a simulation step-by-step for different cases, all conducted in OpenFOAM, an open-source software written in C++.

Before getting started, you can install OpenFOAM here, which is designed for Linux environment, such as Ubuntu or Debian. If you are working on Windows, OpenFOAM is also available through the WSL Virtual Machine(Windows Subsystem for Linux).

OpenFOAM

• Getting Started
• Directory
• Run in Batch

Meshing

• ANSA
• cfMesh
• Salome

Steady-State Simulations :

• Compressible:
  • Subsonic
  • Sonic
  • Supersonic
• Uncompressible:
  • Subsonic