Fluid Instability, Transition and Turbulence

Module code: EG4115

This module introduces contemporary developments in fluid dynamics through an integrated study of theoretical, computational, and experimental approaches to flow instability, transition, and turbulence. You will develop understanding of the governing equations of fluid motion, including the Euler and Navier–Stokes equations, and key concepts such as vorticity, viscosity, incompressible flow, and Reynolds number, before progressing to the analysis of instability mechanisms and transition to turbulence in boundary layers and free shear flows, including flat plate and Falkner–Skan configurations. The module draws on hydrodynamic stability theory, including normal mode analysis and the Orr–Sommerfeld equation, to describe how small disturbances evolve in fluid systems, alongside exposure to modern experimental techniques for air and water flows, such as advanced anemometry and methods for analysing unsteady flows in time and frequency domains. You will also be introduced to computational fluid dynamics methods, including finite difference approaches and basic turbulence modelling, developing the ability to interpret and analyse complex fluid behaviour using complementary analytical, experimental, and numerical tools relevant to aerospace engineering applications.