VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.

151-0110-00L 4 Credits BSC , MSC D-PHYS , D-MAVT , D-MATH
You're viewing possible stale or outdated data. Please check the latest semester for more up-to-date information.

Compressible Flows

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. em. Dr. Thomas Rösgen, Dr. Anna Alexandra Kubik
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:06:54

Abstract

Topics: unsteady one-dimensional subsonic and supersonic flows, acoustics, sound propagation, supersonic flows with shocks and Prandtl-Meyer expansions, flow around slender bodies, shock tubes, reaction fronts (deflagration and detonation).Mathematical tools: method of characteristics and selected numerical methods.

Objective

Illustration of compressible flow phenomena and introduction to the corresponding mathematical description methods.

Content

The interaction of compressibility and inertia is responsible for wave generation in a fluid. The compressibility plays an important role for example in unsteady phenomena, such as oscillations in gas pipelines or exhaust pipes. Compressibility effects are also important in steady subsonic flows with high Mach numbers (M>0.3) and in supersonic flows (e.g. aeronautics, turbomachinery). The first part of the lecture deals with wave propagation phenomena in one-dimensional subsonic and supersonic flows. The discussion includes waves with small amplitudes in an acoustic approximation and waves with large amplitudes with possible shock formation. The second part deals with plane, steady supersonic flows. Slender bodies in a parallel flow are considered as small perturbations of the flow and can be treated by means of acoustic methods. The description of the two-dimensional supersonic flow around bodies with arbitrary shapes includes oblique shocks and Prandtl-Meyer expansions etc.. Various boundary conditions, which are imposed for example by walls or free-jet boundaries, and interactions, reflections etc. are taken into account.

Resources

Lecture Notes

not available

Literature

a list of recommended textbooks is handed out at the beginning of the lecture.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
written 90 minutes
Aids
· Zusammenfassung von 6 Seiten / Summary of 6 pages· Standard wissenschaftlicher Taschenrechner / pocket calculator (standard scientific)· Skript zur Vorlesung (Version 2022), ohne eigene Notizen / Class notes (Version 2022), no personal annotations· Aufgabenblätter und Musterlösungen (Version 2022), ohne eigene Notizen / Exercises and Solutions (Version 2022) – no personal annotations

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Compressible Flows
  • Thu 08:15-10:00 (ML F 39)
2 h weekly
exercise Compressible Flows
  • Wed 13:15-14:00 (ML F 38)
1 h weekly

Offered In