The course objective is to demonstrate the design process of a hypersonic vehicle’s thermal protection system (TPS). The first half of the course analyzes the inviscid flow-field surrounding blunt and slender bodies traveling at high speeds. Topics include compressible gas dynamics, high-temperature physics, and reacting flows. The second half of the course then uses the flow field predictions to calculate the aerothermal loads and material response of the TPS. Topics include compressible boundary layers, material ablation, and thermal conduction into the TPS. The students will solve a combination of theoretical and numerical problems using MATLAB or Python, culminating in a final design project.
The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Modules on the course menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, lectures, readings, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. All modules run for a period of seven (7) days, and the homeworks are due on the first day of the following module. The only exception is the final project which is due on the 4th day (Thursday) of the 14th Module. The Calendar and Announcements will list the add assignment due dates.
Module Number | Module Name | Module Topics |
1 | Introduction | brief history of hypersonic historical firsts, define hypersonic flow, describe the course topics and expectations |
2 | Compressible Gas Dynamics | Wedges and cones overview, shock jump relations (normal and oblique shock relations), attached shock solutions (wedges and taylor-Maccoll solution), Prandtl-Meyer Expansion Waves, detached shock solution |
3 | Local Surface Inclination Methods | Newtonian flow theory, Tangent wedge/tangent cone, Shock-expansion method |
4 | Flight Mechanics | General equations of motion for entry, balistic trajectories, equilibrium glide trajectories |
5 | Chemical equilibrium | Background on thermodynamics and chemical equations, Gibbs free energy and law of mass action |
6 | Finite rate processes | Microscopic description of gases, vibrational-translational energy exchange, chemical nonequilibrium |
7 | Reacting Flows | Rayleigh and Hugoniot lines, quasi 1D reacting flow equations, stagnation point modelling |
8 | Compressible Boundary Layers | Compressible boundary layer theory, Crocco-Busemann relations |
9 | Laminar Aerodynamic Heating | General self-similar equations, flat plate/cone heating correlations, stagnation point heating correlations |
10 | Turbulent Boundary Layers | Introduction to turbulent flow modelling, turbulent boundary layer correlations, boundary-layer transition |
11 | Thermochemical Surface Ablation | Introduction to ablation modelling, conservation of elements /derive B’ tables, Conservation of energy at the surface |
12 | In-depth Material Response | Derivation of in-depth equations, building a pyrolysis model, finite-different approximations |
13 | Project | Final project |
14 | Conclusions | Moving to higher fidelity design: Using viscous CFD for aerodynamic heating calculations, Experimental facilities |
By the end of the course, students will be able to understand the physics needed to design a thermal protection system of a vehicle moving at hypersonics speeds. They will be able to apply the physics in order to design the TPS for a real world application.
The most used textbook in this class is:
Anderson, John D. (2019). Hypersonic and High-Temperature Gas Dynamics, 3rd edition, AIAA Education Series.
This is available online for free to all students.
Other textbooks referenced throughout the class are listed here below. These are optional and not necessary to purchase.
This class will require coding in either Python or MATLAB. You will be expected to have some computer literacy skills including basic coding, downloading open source software packages used in Python or MATLAB, creating and submitting files, and using web conferencing tools and software.
Problem sets will be given at the end of each module that include a mix of theoretical derivations and numerical problems (using MATLAB or Python). Each module will contain a graded assignment that students will complete individually.
Score Range | Letter Grade |
---|---|
100-97 | = A+ |
96-93 | = A |
92-90 | = A− |
89-87 | = B+ |
86-83 | = B |
82-80 | = B− |
79-77 | = C+ |
76-73 | = C |
72-70 | = C− |
69-67 | = D+ |
66-63 | = D |
<63 | = F |
Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses
Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.
Academic Misconduct Policy
All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.
This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.
Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility
Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.
For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.
Student Conduct Code
The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically.
For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/
Classroom Climate
JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity.
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).
Course Auditing
When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.