A Visualistic Approach in Aerodynamics

This study stresses the power of the visual communication language in engineering education and design. The work explores the potential of virtual learning tools aimed to create a new dimension for the study and the understanding of aerodynamics in higher education. For an aerodynamic wing, an hyperspace is defined by selecting geometric and flow variables. It is proposed to study the relation among these variables and their impact on the aerodynamic performance by defining various set and assemblies of three-dimensional subspaces. These spaces are then visualized in the 3D CAVE immersive room opening thus novel paths for the undestanding of the performance of wing aerodynamics with flow and geometric variation. The particular case of airplane wings is presented.© 2002 ASME