622
P. Liu
8.37 Prandtl (1875–1953)
Ludwig Prandtl (1875–1953), a German mechanic and a world Master of
fluid mechanics, received his doctorate in 1900. After 1904, he was hired
to establish the Department of Applied Mechanics, the Institute of Aerodynamics Experiment, and the Institute of Fluid Mechanics at the University
of Gottingen. Since then, he had been engaged in the research and teaching
of aerodynamics. He had made important contributions in boundary layer
theory, wind tunnel experiment technology, wing theory, turbulence theory,
and so on. Therefore, he is called the father of aerodynamics and modern
fluid mechanics. In 1904, Prandtl completed his most famous paper Fluid
Flow under very Small Friction. In this paper, Prandtl first described the
boundary layer and its application in drag reduction and streamline design,
described the boundary layer separation, and proposed the concept of stall,
which played an epoch-making role. Prandtl’s paper attracted the attention of
mathematician Klein, who recommended Prandtl as the director of the school
of Technical Physics at the University of Gottingen. In 1908, Prandtl and his
student Theodor Meyer proposed the theory of supersonic shock wave flow,
and Prandt–Meyer expansion wave theory became the theoretical basis for the
design of supersonic wind tunnel. From 1913 to 1918, the theory of lifting
line and the theory of minimum induced drag were put forward, and then
the theory of lifting surface was put forward, which enrich the wing theory.
In 1922, Prandtl and Richard Von Mises founded the International Society
of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics. In 1929, he and Adolf Busemann
proposed a design method of supersonic nozzle. The Prandtl method is still
used in the design of all supersonic wind tunnels and rocket nozzles. The
complete theory of supersonic flow was finally completed by Theodore Von
Karman, a student of Prandtl.
He is also creative in meteorology. Prandtl and Tijon published Applied
Hydrodynamics and Aerodynamics in 1931. His monograph Introduction to
Fluid Mechanics was published in 1942, and the Chinese translation was
published in 1974. His mechanical papers were compiled into three volumes
of Complete Works, which were published in 1961 (Fig. 8.37).
8.38 Karman (1881–1963)
Von. Karman (1881–1963), an American scientist (Hungarian Jew), received
a doctorate at the University of Gottingen in 1908. In 1911, the theory
of bluff body drag was summed up, that is, the famous “Karman vortex
P. Liu
8.37 Prandtl (1875–1953)
Ludwig Prandtl (1875–1953), a German mechanic and a world Master of
fluid mechanics, received his doctorate in 1900. After 1904, he was hired
to establish the Department of Applied Mechanics, the Institute of Aerodynamics Experiment, and the Institute of Fluid Mechanics at the University
of Gottingen. Since then, he had been engaged in the research and teaching
of aerodynamics. He had made important contributions in boundary layer
theory, wind tunnel experiment technology, wing theory, turbulence theory,
and so on. Therefore, he is called the father of aerodynamics and modern
fluid mechanics. In 1904, Prandtl completed his most famous paper Fluid
Flow under very Small Friction. In this paper, Prandtl first described the
boundary layer and its application in drag reduction and streamline design,
described the boundary layer separation, and proposed the concept of stall,
which played an epoch-making role. Prandtl’s paper attracted the attention of
mathematician Klein, who recommended Prandtl as the director of the school
of Technical Physics at the University of Gottingen. In 1908, Prandtl and his
student Theodor Meyer proposed the theory of supersonic shock wave flow,
and Prandt–Meyer expansion wave theory became the theoretical basis for the
design of supersonic wind tunnel. From 1913 to 1918, the theory of lifting
line and the theory of minimum induced drag were put forward, and then
the theory of lifting surface was put forward, which enrich the wing theory.
In 1922, Prandtl and Richard Von Mises founded the International Society
of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics. In 1929, he and Adolf Busemann
proposed a design method of supersonic nozzle. The Prandtl method is still
used in the design of all supersonic wind tunnels and rocket nozzles. The
complete theory of supersonic flow was finally completed by Theodore Von
Karman, a student of Prandtl.
He is also creative in meteorology. Prandtl and Tijon published Applied
Hydrodynamics and Aerodynamics in 1931. His monograph Introduction to
Fluid Mechanics was published in 1942, and the Chinese translation was
published in 1974. His mechanical papers were compiled into three volumes
of Complete Works, which were published in 1961 (Fig. 8.37).
8.38 Karman (1881–1963)
Von. Karman (1881–1963), an American scientist (Hungarian Jew), received
a doctorate at the University of Gottingen in 1908. In 1911, the theory
of bluff body drag was summed up, that is, the famous “Karman vortex