2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Design and implementation of an aerofoil flow simulation tutorial to improve students’ knowledge and experience

Presented at Aerospace Division (AERO) Technical Session 4: Simulation, VR, and Hands-on Learning

Across the globe, conventional teaching methods such as lectures and in-class tutorials are widely used in engineering education. While experimental lab sessions have been included in the technical subjects, such as the wind tunnel analyses performed in most of the aeronautical engineering courses offered worldwide, these activities are still done at a very limited level. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as model limitations, running costs, outdated or working conditions of the equipment, maintenance delays, operation restrictions (safety risks), noise issues and so on. Due to these limitations, many aeronautical academics have started to use practical tools such as ANSYS for aerodynamic, structural and propulsion related simulations in recent years. However, there is no clear evidence that these software tools can effectively improve the students’ knowledge. Hence, the main aim of this research work is to prove that software simulation teaching can improve students’ learning experience and knowledge. To prove this, a new aerodynamic simulation tutorial with the help of ANSYS (especially Fluent) was developed based on the NACA0015 aerofoil design. Procedures, including aerofoil design in ANSYS Discovery, computational domain development, boundary conditions set-up, mesh, solving the model in Fluent and validation are covered in this tutorial. This software simulation tutorial design was set based on Kolb’s experiential learning cycle and the novel DDAMV method and is similar to the lift and drag studies conducted over an aerofoil in the wind tunnel and attains the learning outcome 2, which covers the competencies C4 and C12 AHEP4s set by the UK Engineering Council.
In terms of implementation, at first, the aerodynamic concepts such as laminar, turbulence, lift and drag forces were delivered in the lecture session and students were asked to complete a pre-tutorial questionnaire, which included questions related to their understanding level of those concepts at that stage. Then the designed tutorial sessions were delivered. In which students simulated the flow over the NACA0015 aerofoil. At the end of those sessions, they completed a post-tutorial questionnaire, which captured their thoughts and technical questions related to the simulation experience and technical knowledge. With the use of pre- and post-tutorial questionnaires and simulation result submissions, this research proved that the students can understand the aerodynamic concepts, especially the flow over an aerofoil, much better after completing the simulation tutorial. Additionally, the design simulation tutorial enhanced the students’ aerodynamic knowledge and experience. This tutorial was delivered during the current academic year in the TRAN53017 module at our university. The entire research is supported by the ANSYS Curriculum Fund.

Authors

Dr. Siva Marimuthu University of Staffordshire [biography]

I am currently a Senior Lecturer in Aeronautical Engineering and the course leader for both undergraduate and postgraduate aeronautical programmes within the Department of Engineering at the University of Staffordshire, United Kingdom. Have earned aeronautical engineering-related academic & research experience from India, Malaysia & the United Arab Emirates. My main areas of research interest are aerodynamics, aircraft design, biomimetics, CFD and composites. Published various research papers in reputed journals and conferences and was recently nominated by the Royal Aeronautical Society, UK to be an aerodynamics chair at the CEAS Aerospace Europe Conference, held at Torino, Italy. Developed a new programme called Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering Technology (Aircraft) with Honours, the first of its kind in Malaysia and developed many new modules such as aerodynamics, aircraft propulsion, aircraft design project and flight dynamics at the University of Staffordshire. Supervising many undergraduate and postgraduate research (including PhD) projects. Reviewer and editorial/technical board member at many reputed journals and conferences. Organised industry visits and numerous events such as the International Conference on Aeronautics, Astronautics and Aviation, Technical Symposiums and Guest Lectures. Delivered many invited guest lectures and talks to several educational institutions worldwide. I was honoured with the Indian Faculty Leader Award for my contribution to the aeronautical community and the Kajal Mallick Memorial Award for one of the best research publications. I am a member of many professional bodies, such as the Royal Aeronautical Society, Malaysia Board of Technologists, Institute of Aeronautics, Astronautics and Aviation, Chartered Engineer of the UK Engineering Council and Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy.
Dr. Mohammad Moghimi Ardekani University of Staffordshire [biography]

Mohammad obtained his PhD in 2017, in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pretoria. After years of academic and industrial engineering experiences, he joined Staffordshire university in 2019 and currently work as associate professor of clean energy technologies.
Since 2013 he has been actively involved in the design and optimisation of clean energy technologies. In that regard, he has published 80+ articles in top peer-reviewed journals and prestigious conference proceedings, one book, two book chapters and a webinar in collaboration with different research institutes and companies around the world. He actively contributed in proposal writing, securing research grants and technical management and delivery of over £2.3 funded projects in those fields with over £700k attributed to his institutions, in combined.
In addition to those academic experiences, he has gained more than 4 years of industrial experiences in designs and simulations of equipment in different plants (Solar thermal, Oil, Gas and Petrochemical plants). He was involved in different industrial projects and conducted various research projects for R&D departments of different international companies e.g. DLR-institute of solar research (Germany), SOLASTOR (Australia) and etc.
His scientific activities earned him the international Green Talent Award from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) which introduced him as top young scientist in Green Energy in 2015. His research activity rated him as Promising Young Researcher (Y2 rating) by National Research Foundation, South Africa. He is also a fellow or member of various professional institutes and societies, such as Higher Education Academy. He is in the editorial board and reviewer of 3 and 19 notable accredited journals, respectively.
Dr. Sheikh Zahidul Islam University of Staffordshire [biography]

Dr Sheikh Islam is Head of Engineering in the School of Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business at University of Staffordshire. Dr. Islam's prior teaching leadership positions include serving as an Associate Dean, an Academic Strategic Lead (Head of Mechanical Engineering Discipline), an Academic Team Lead, and a senior lecturer for mechanical engineering courses. Dr Islam gained his PhD from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen through research on computational fluid dynamics modelling of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. His research interests include PEM fuel cell modelling, Vertical axis wind turbine, engineering design optimisation, multi-phase flow and heat transfer analysis for industrial applications. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). He has co-authored over 60 peer-reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings.
Mrs. Debi Marie Roberts University of Staffordshire [biography]

Debi Marie Roberts is a Chartered Engineer and the Course Director for Engineering Distance Learning and Apprenticeships at University of Staffordshire, She brings 18 years of experience in academia and industry to her role. Prior teaching leadership positions include serving as Academic Group Leader for the Transport Engineering discipline area and a secondment to the role of Interim Head of Department (Engineering) for 12 months. She has also been Course Leader for various Aeronautical, Automotive and Motorsport courses during her time at the University. She has developed and delivered a wide variety of course curriculum modules for Transport, Construction and Mechanical Engineering areas and have twice led on the development of revitalised engineering curricula, as well as leading on the accreditation of courses by engineering professional bodies. She was part of the team at University of Staffordshire who received Office for Students Wave 1 Apprenticeship funding to develop new and innovative teaching apprenticeship courses, this was worth £974,000 across the University. She has authored articles for various journals and newspapers as well as providing engineering employability expertise to international newspapers such as the Deccan Herald. Her research areas include automation of transportation, transport history and the history of health and safety in naval dockyards. She was also part of the Boulton Paul Heritage Project, preserving aviation history and was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service as part of the group in 2012. She is an experienced academic with a strong teaching and learning background and clear management and pedagogical experience.
Dr. Muhammad Fahad University of Staffordshire [biography]

Dr Muhammad Fahad is a Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Staffordshire and Course Leader for the BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering programme. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Loughborough University and brings over 20 years of academic and industrial experience in manufacturing and engineering. His expertise spans additive manufacturing, materials engineering, and lean manufacturing, with a strong focus on productivity optimisation and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Dr Fahad has an extensive publication record, including journal articles and book chapters in areas such as 3D printing, materials characterisation, and manufacturing systems. He has supervised doctoral research and actively collaborates with industry on projects related to process improvement, product design, and composite materials development. His work bridges academic research and industrial application, contributing to innovation in modern manufacturing practices.
Md Asaduzzaman University of Staffordshire [biography]

Md Asaduzzaman received the B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in applied statistics from the University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 1999 and 2001, respectively; the M.Sc. degree in bioinformatics from Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden, in 2007; and the PhD degree in operational research from the University of Westminster, London, U.K., in 2010. He was a Lecturer and Assistant Professor of applied statistics at the Institute of Statistical Research and Training, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 2001 to 2013. He is currently an Associate Professor in operational research with Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, U.K., where he has been a faculty member since 2014. He received several awards, including the first runner-up prize of “The Doctoral Award” in 2011 from the Operational Research Society UK, and the “Dean’s Honour Award” from the University of Dhaka in 2013 for his paper in the Journal of the Royal Statistical Society. His primary research interests include queueing and mathematical programming for performance measure, capacity and resource planning and management in healthcare and communication networks. He is also interested in statistical computing, large-scale data mining, and analysis in environmental sciences and healthcare. He was a Member of IEEE from 2016 to 2019 and a senior member of IEEE since 2019. He is currently a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society, UK.
Mr. Andrew Cash University of Staffordshire [biography]

Andrew Cash is a Senior Lecturer and Course Leader in Automotive and Motorsport Engineering at the University of Staffordshire. He holds a Master’s in Education and is undertaking part-time doctoral research on the thermal management of lithium-ion battery systems in electric vehicles, an area of growing importance as the industry transitions towards electrification and improved energy efficiency. With 27 years’ experience across Further and Higher Education, Andrew has a strong track record of developing technical capability among a wide range of learners, from apprentice technicians to undergraduate engineering students. His teaching is grounded in industry relevance, equipping students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to meet the automotive sector's evolving demands. He has played a key role in curriculum development, designing and introducing new modules with a particular emphasis on electric propulsion systems, battery technologies, and modern vehicle architectures. In addition to his teaching and research responsibilities, Andrew has actively fostered industry links. He has organised and led numerous industrial visits, providing students with valuable exposure to real-world engineering environments. Notably, he coordinated the University’s first Faraday Battery Day event in 2025, bringing together students, academics, and industry professionals to engage with cutting-edge developments in battery technology. Andrew is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, reflecting his commitment to excellence in teaching and learning within higher education.
Saeed Shiry Ghidarry

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 21, 2026, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 24, 2026

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