Computational Aerodynamics provides a foundational yet practice-oriented approach to CFD, tailored specifically to the needs of aerospace engineers. The course begins by introducing the core principles behind CFD solvers, exploring the numerical techniques and physical models that form the backbone of modern aerodynamic analysis. This includes how turbulence is modelled for industrial relevant cases to allow for performance prediction and design optimisation. Participants will also gain insight into the computational strategies that make these simulations viable, including parallelisation and deployment on high-performance computing (HPC) platforms for tackling large-scale problems.

This course blends theory with hands-on application. Practical lab sessions are designed to reinforce lecture content, guiding participants through the complete workflow of a CFD project. From CAD clean-up and mesh generation to solver configuration and post-processing, participants will work through a full aircraft simulation setup. These labs introduce automation techniques that are essential for conducting large-scale parametric studies or preparing simulations for HPC execution. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to handle the technical demands of CFD for computational aerodynamic tasks.

At a glance

Course structure

This course is divided equally into theory and practical lab sessions. All practical labs will use ANSYS for the simulations, in particular, SpaceClaim for the CAD clean-up and Fluent for meshing, solving, and post-processing.

What you will learn

On completion of the course, you will be able to:

  • Develop a suitable cleaned CAD geometry and create a suitable volume mesh using commercial pre-processing software packages
  • Perform aerodynamic simulations using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and appraise the different modelling techniques available to obtain aerodynamic coefficients, forces and moments and their computational cost / accuracy trade-off
  • Use high-performance computing (HPC) resources to perform complex aerodynamic flow calculations, which includes setting up automated simulations through scripting to be run on HPC systems
  • Calculate aerodynamic coefficients from raw CFD data and evaluate their differences to simplified aerodynamic correlations and mathematical theories from the literature
  • Develop a simulation environment that is able to capture laminar / turbulent and incompressible / compressible flows, including an understanding of shock-wave capturing schemes

 

 

Core content

The course consists of the following elements:

  • Review of key fluid mechanic and thermodynamic concepts
  • Review of key non-dimensional numbers
  • Calculate lift and drag polars and extracting different type of drags from simulations
  • Simulate viscous flow around aerodynamic bodies, including an extension to separated boundary layer flows
  • Extract key aerodynamic figures such as minimum drag and maximum lift over drag speed
  • Calculate centre of pressure and aerodynamic centre on aerofoils / wings / horizontal stabiliser and rudder and use extracted moments for static stability analysis.
  • Perform CFD simulations for aerodynamic devices such as wings, aerofoil sections, flaps, etc. and use appropriate modelling strategy to capture the flow around these
  • Use shock-capturing schemes to resolve shock-waves for compressible flows, such as Riemann solvers
  • Apply mesh motion to simulate rotating domains (propellers, rotors, etc.)
  • Automate the CFD calculation through scripting
  • Run automated CFD simulation on an HPC cluster environment

Who should attend

This course is suitable for engineering professionals in the aerospace or automotive industries who seek practical, simulation-driven skills to predict aerodynamic performance of surfaces using CFD, including those involved in design, analysis, or performance optimisation of aircraft, vehicles, or related aerodynamic systems.


Concessions

Concessions: 20% discount for Cranfield Alumni. 10% discount when registering 3 or more delegates, from the same organisation at the same time.

Accommodation fees are not included in the discount scheme. Please ask about our discount scheme at time of booking.

Accommodation options and prices

This course is non-residential. If you would like to book accommodation on campus, please contact Mitchell Hall or Cranfield Management Development Centre directly. Further information about our on campus accommodation can be found here. Alternatively you may wish to make your own arrangements at a nearby hotel.

Location and travel

Cranfield University is situated in Bedfordshire close to the border with Buckinghamshire. The University is located almost midway between the towns of Bedford and Milton Keynes and is conveniently situated between junctions 13 and 14 of the M1.

London Luton, Stansted and Heathrow airports are 30, 90 and 90 minutes respectively by car, offering superb connections to and from just about anywhere in the world.

For further location and travel details


Location address

Cranfield University
College Road
Cranfield
Bedford
MK43 0AL

How to apply

To apply for this course please use the online application form.

Apply now

Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.