|
Undergraduate Computer Programs
|
Glenn
Research
Center
|
Here is a group of Java programs which were designed to help
undergraduate engineering students. These programs cover the basics of
aerodynamics and propulsion.
The icon at the top of each section will take
you to a web page which contains a simulator or calculator for
an aerodynamics problem. The web page assumes that
you understand the problem and contains only the applet and
a couple of hyperlinks to additional pages which describe
the science and math behind each problem and some
additional instructions on the program operation. The linked pages
will take a little longer to load into your browser.
If you follow the instructions given below,
you can download a copy of each program to your computer and
you can then run the programs off-line.
All of the downloaded programs on this page are transported in ".zip"
format.
You will need to use the "WinZip" program to "Extract" the files from
the "*.zip" file. If you skip this step, you will only see grey box
when you attempt to run the applet or application.
Mach and Speed of Sound Calculator
allows you to specify the altitude and speed (or Mach) of an aircraft and the program uses
the standard day atmosphere mathematical model to determine the speed of sound
and the Mach number (speed)
of your aircraft. Altitudes vary from 0 to 250,000 feet and Mach number varies from 0 to 25.
Calculations are in English or Metric units.
DOWNLOAD
YOUR OWN COPY:
Here is the procedure to download your own copy of Mach and Speed of Sound Calculator:
- The downloaded file is in .ZIP format
which you must store on your hard drive when prompted by your
browser.
- Click
Here to download a copy of
the applet
- Go to the directory where you have
stored the .ZIP file and "Extract" all the files.
- Click on Mach.html
to launch your browser and load the
driver program.
EngineSimU
is a simulator that performs a Brayton Cycle analysis of a turbine
engine or ramjet. The
program works in two modes: Design Mode or Tunnel Test Mode. In
the Design Mode, you can change design variables including the
flight conditions, the engine size, the inlet performance, the
turbo machinery compressor and turbine performance, the combustors
or burner performance, or the nozzle performance. For a turbofan
engine design you can also vary the fan performance and the bypass
ratio. When you have a design that you like, you can switch to
the Tunnel Test Mode, where you can vary only the flight conditions
(airspeed, altitude, and throttle setting).
EngineSimU is a special version of the
EngineSim
program that includes all of the options of the original
version plus an additional input panel.
Using this panel, you can reset the limits on all of the variables
in the program.
DOWNLOAD
YOUR OWN COPY:
Here is the procedure to download your own copy of EngineSimU applet:
- The downloaded file is in .ZIP format
which you must store on your hard drive when prompted by your
browser.
- Click
Here to download a copy of
the applet
- Go to the directory where you have
stored the .ZIP file and "Extract" all the files.
-
Click on either Turbo.html or
EngineSimU.html to launch your browser and load the EngineSimU
driver program.
Turbo.html is intended for experienced users and launches the program alone;
EngineSimU.html includes instructions on program operation.
There is an even more powerful version of EngineSimU which is available for
very experienced users. This program is a Java application, not an applet.
It runs stand alone and you must have Java installed on your computer to
run this program. The chief advantage of this program is that it can read
and write files on your computer. You can save your engine design and performance
to a file for printing. You can also save your current design to a "Save" file.
At your next session you can read the "Save" file information back into the
program and continue your design.
DOWNLOAD
YOUR OWN COPY:
Here is the procedure to download your own copy of EngineSimU application:
- Install a copy of the Java 1.1.8 (or higher)
JDK program language on your computer. This software is available for free
from Sun Microsystems.
- The downloaded file is in .ZIP format
which you must store on your hard drive when prompted by your
browser.
- Click
Here to download a copy of
Version 1.6, EngineSimU Application
- Go to the folder where you have
stored the .ZIP file and "Extract" all the files. Remember the name of this folder.
- The "MANUAL" file can be printed to assist
you in launching and operating the program.
- Open a DOS window.
Type "java -cp (path to the folder) Turbo" to launch the application.
You can re-size the window as desired.
FoilSim II
is a simulator that performs a Kutta-Joukowski analysis to
compute the lift of an airfoil.
The user can control the shape, size, and inclination of the airfoil and the
atmospheric conditions in which the airfoil is flying.
The program includes a stall model for the airfoil, a model of the Martian
atmosphere, and the ability to specify a variety of fluids for lift comparisons.
The program has graphical and numerical output, including an interactive probe
which you can use to investigate the details of flow around an airfoil.
FoilSimU is a special version of the
FoilSim
program that includes all of the options of the original
version plus additional input and output panels
to study the details of conformal mapping and the Kutta condition.
DOWNLOAD
YOUR OWN COPY:
Here is the procedure to download your own copy of FoilSimU applet:
- The downloaded file is in .ZIP format
which you must store on your hard drive when prompted by your
browser.
- Click
Here to download a copy of
the applet
- Go to the directory where you have
stored the .ZIP file and "Extract" all the files.
-
Click on either Foil.html or
FoilSimU.html to launch your browser and load the FoilSimU
driver program.
Foil.html is intended for experienced users and launches the program alone;
FoilSimU.html includes instructions on program operation.
There is an even more powerful version of FoilSimU which is available for
very experienced users. This program is a Java application, not an applet.
It runs stand alone and you must have Java installed on your computer to
run this program. The chief advantage of this program is that it can
write output files on your computer. You can save your airfoil design and performance
to a file for printing.
DOWNLOAD
YOUR OWN COPY:
Here is the procedure to download your own copy of FoilSimU application:
- Install a copy of the Java 1.1.8 (or higher)
JDK program language on your computer. This software is available for free
from Sun Microsystems.
- The downloaded file is in .ZIP format
which you must store on your hard drive when prompted by your
browser.
- Click
Here to download a copy of
Version 1.5, FoilSimU Application
- Go to the folder where you have
stored the .ZIP file and "Extract" all the files. Remember the name of the folder.
- The "MANUAL" file can be printed to assist
you in launching and operating the program.
- Open a DOS window.
Type "java -cp (path to the folder) Foil" to launch the application.
You can re-size the window as desired.
Sound Wave Simulator
allows you to explore the doppler effect and the formation of Mach waves. A "bug" generates a
series of sound waves which are transmitted at the speed of sound. You can vary the
speed of the bug from zero to twice the speed of sound (Mach 2) by using a slider.
The change of wavelength associated with the doppler effect at lower speeds is illustrated.
The formation of Mach waves which are inclined to the direction of motion at a
unique Mach angle are also illustrated.
DOWNLOAD
YOUR OWN COPY:
Here is the procedure to download your own copy of Sound Wave Simulator:
- The downloaded file is in .ZIP format
which you must store on your hard drive when prompted by your
browser.
- Click
Here to download a copy of
the applet
- Go to the directory where you have
stored the .ZIP file and "Extract" all the files.
- Click on Sound.html
to launch your browser and load the
driver program.
Isentropic Flow Calculator
solves the isentropic flow equations for a variety of inputs. Variables include the
Mach number, static to total pressure, temperature, and density ratios, dynamic
to static pressure ratio, critical area ratio, corrected airflow per unit area,
Mach angle, and Prandtl-Meyer angle.
Specifying any one variable determines the value of all the other variables.
DOWNLOAD
YOUR OWN COPY:
Here is the procedure to download your own copy of Isentropic Flow Calculator:
- The downloaded file is in .ZIP format
which you must store on your hard drive when prompted by your
browser.
- Click
Here to download a copy of
the applet
- Go to the directory where you have
stored the .ZIP file and "Extract" all the files.
- Click on Isentrop.html
to launch your browser and load the
driver program.
Interactive Nozzle Simulator
solves the isentropic flow equations for the flow through a rocket nozzle, a converging-
diverging turbine nozzle or a converging turbine nozzle. Input variables include the
throat area, throat to exit area ratio, total pressure and temperature in the plenum,
and free stream pressure. You can select from a variety of propellant combinations,
or specify your own molecular weight, ratio of specific heats, and combustion temperature.
Output include the flow through the nozzle, the thrust, specific impulse, exit velocity
and Mach number, and exit static pressure.
DOWNLOAD
YOUR OWN COPY:
Here is the procedure to download your own copy of Interactive Nozzle Simulator:
- The downloaded file is in .ZIP format
which you must store on your hard drive when prompted by your
browser.
- Click
Here to download a copy of
the applet
- Go to the directory where you have
stored the .ZIP file and "Extract" all the files.
- Click on Nozzle.html
to launch your browser and load the
driver program.
Shock Wave Simulator
solves the flow equations for supersonic flow past a wedge. Input variables include the
Mach number, and wedge angle. Depending on the combination, an attached oblique
shock or a detached normal shock is generated. The simulator computes the
static and total pressure ratio, the temperature and density ratio, the shock
angle and the downstream Mach number. A graphic shows the shock angle.
DOWNLOAD
YOUR OWN COPY:
Here is the procedure to download your own copy of Shock Wave Simulator:
- The downloaded file is in .ZIP format
which you must store on your hard drive when prompted by your
browser.
- Click
Here to download a copy of
the applet
- Go to the directory where you have
stored the .ZIP file and "Extract" all the files.
- Click on Shock.html
to launch your browser and load the
driver program.
Multiple Shock Wave Simulator
solves the flow equations for supersonic flow past multiple wedges. Input variables include the
Mach number, wedge angles, and the spacing between the wedges.
Wedges may be located in series or opposite each other.
Depending on the combination, attached oblique
shocks or a detached normal shock is generated. The simulator computes the
static and total pressure ratio, the temperature and density ratio, the shock
angle, flow turning, and the downstream Mach number.
A graphic shows the multiple shock intersections and reflections.
This program also solves the single wedge problem; generating an oblique or normal
shock, or a centered expansion fan.
DOWNLOAD
YOUR OWN COPY:
Here is the procedure to download your own copy of Multiple Shock Wave Simulator:
- The downloaded file is in .ZIP format
which you must store on your hard drive when prompted by your
browser.
- Click
Here to download a copy of
the applet
- Go to the directory where you have
stored the .ZIP file and "Extract" all the files.
- Click on Mshock.html
to launch your browser and load the
driver program.
There is an even more powerful version of the Multiple Shock Wave Simulator which is available for
very experienced users. This program is a Java application, not an applet.
It runs stand alone and you must have Java installed on your computer to
run this program. The chief advantage of this program is that it can
write files on your computer. You can save the output from the program
to a file for printing.
DOWNLOAD
YOUR OWN COPY:
Here is the procedure to download your own copy of the Multiple Shock Wave Simulator application:
- Install a copy of the Java 1.1.8 (or higher)
JDK program language on your computer. This software is available for free
from Sun Microsystems.
- The downloaded file is in .ZIP format
which you must store on your hard drive when prompted by your
browser.
- Click
Here to download a copy of
Multiple Shock Wave Application
- Go to the folder where you have
stored the .ZIP file and "Extract" all the files. Remember the name of the folder.
- Open a DOS window.
Type "java -cp (path to the folder) Mshock" to launch the application.
-
You can re-size the window as desired.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE:
This software is in the Public Domain. It may be freely copied and
used in non-commercial products, assuming proper credit to the author
is given. IT MAY NOT BE RESOLD. If you want to use the software
for commercial products, contact the author.
No copyright is claimed in the United
States under Title 17, U.S. Code. This software is provided "as
is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed, implied,
or statutory, including but not limited to, any warranty that the
software will conform to specifications, any implied warranties
of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom
from infringement, and any warranty that the documentation will
conform to the program, or any warranty that the software will be
error free.
In no event shall NASA be liable for
any damages, including, but not limited to direct, indirect, special
or consequential damages, arising out of, resulting from, or in
any way connected with this software, whether or not based on warranty,
contract, tort or otherwise, whether or not injury was sustained
by persons or property or otherwise, and whether or not loss was
sustained from or arose out of the results of, or use of, the software
or services provided hereunder.
Navigation..
- Beginner's Guide to Aerodynamics
- Beginner's Guide to Propulsion
- Beginner's Guide to Hypersonics
- Beginner's Guide to Compressible Aerodynamics
- Beginner's Guide to Model Rockets
- Beginner's Guide to Kites
- Wind Tunnel Pages
- Free Software
- Aerospace Activities and Lessons
- Beginner's Guide Home Page
- Aeronautics Resources
- NASA Glenn Learning
Technologies Home Page
|