Aesthetics Exploration: Aerodynamic Design

Aerodynamic design refers to the science of designing objects in such a way that they experience minimal air resistance, also known as drag, while simultanesously generating either lift or downforce, depending on the application. Engineers achieve this by designing and simulating streamlined shapes that allows air to flow smoothly over the surface of the object, reducing turbulence and drag. This principle is crucial for the design of aircraft, automobiles, and even bicycles. In recent times, the aesthetics of aerodynamic design have become an important consideration in the design of many products, from sports equipment to consumer electronics and this consideration gives these products a distinct look which the general public has become used to. This post is regarding the exploration of this design movement that is going relatively unnoticed while the people are getting used to it at the same time.

While the fundamentals of aerodynamic concepts can be dated back to 2nd and 3rd centuries BC, quantitative theories were developed and used since the 18th century where initially the designs were based on guesswork and unreliable data such as the first aircraft by the Wright brothers. A significant accomplishment in this field came next by Frank Barnwell in his script from 1917 which helped in the design of military aircrafts at the time and this propelled massive developments and progress in the field of aerodynamics relating to shape and materials.

This gives us a nice segue on what factors would aesthetics of aerodynamic design could be described, and that would be the shape, surface texture, materials, and the most important underlying design factor that engineers have to handle, i.e., performance v/s cost.

The most important aspects of aerodynamic design is the shape of the object. A streamlined shape allows air to flow smoothly over the surface, reducing turbulence and drag. This is why many aerodynamically optimized objects have a sleek, angular appearance, with sharp lines and curves that are carefully engineered to direct air flow in a specific direction. Take for example commercial aircrafts, even a small thing like the way the wings of the aircrafts smoothly turn upwards, called a winglet and shown in the image, is an intentional aerodynamic design as it reduces the wingtip drag and improves performance while saving fuel.

The Winglet of Virgin Airlines Boeing 737

This aspect of aerodynamic aesthetic can be noticed significantly when current high performance cars are compared against an old classic car as can be seen in the following two images where one is McLaren Senna 2018 model and the other is Cadillac Eldorado 1959 model.

McLaren Senna 2018

Cadillac Eldorado 1959

 

The next most important consideration in aerodynamic design is the surface texture of the object. A smooth surface allows air to flow more efficiently without separating over the object, reducing turbulence and drag. This is why many aerodynamically optimized objects are finished with a smooth, glossy surface (although not always) which helps to reduce flow separation and improve performance. The texture and shape of the Volvo aerodynamic truck can be seen as a good example of this.

Volvo Supertruck

 

Designing a product to have significant aerodynamic properties usually takes large amount of resources and is thus only carried out in the extreme cases of either high-performance applications, high-efficiency applications, or lightweight applications. This results in these products to use a considerably small set of high-performance engineering materials such as aerospace grade aluminum, titanium, carbon-fiber, and so on. The usage of these materials adds to the aesthetic of aerodynamic design as can be seen in the racing bicycle and accompanying riding helmet, or the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, all of which are made from carbon-fiber and add to the aesthetic.

Cory Williams on a SPECIALIZED Carbon Fiber bicycle

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

 

But the most significant factor which relates to the aesthetics of aerodynamic design is also the one which all designers and engineers have to stick by at all times, that is performance vs cost. It relates to the aesthetic very strongly because as more and more performance is needed and the lesser and lesser cost restrictions are imposed, it leads to radical aerodynamic designs and thus its aesthetics.

Lets take extreme cases as examples, commercial aircrafts have high cost restrictions while aircrafts made for defense have high performance demands which gives us a Boeing 737 and the radical SR-71 as extreme examples of this while both conforming to the same aesthetic.

Boeing 737 MAX

SR-71 Blackbird

 

Another set of extreme examples considering performance vs cost would be Saab 92 of 1949 which is a pretty old yet very aerodynamic car, and the latest generation 2022 ground-effect F1 cars as shown in the images below.

Saab 92

2022 FIA F1 concept car

 

In conclusion, aerodynamic design plays a crucial role in determining the performance of an object, especially in the case of high-speed vehicles such as aircraft and automobiles. The pursuance of aerodynamic design yields a distinct aesthetic to these products which more often than not is perceived to be pleasing by many.

 

References and image citations:

https://www.cambridgeblog.org/2021/04/100-years-of-aircraft-aerodynamic-design-from-guesswork-to-optimal-mathematical-precision/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_aerodynamics#:~:text=Early%20records%20of%20fundamental%20aerodynamic,begin%20until%20the%2018th%20century.

https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/motoring/aesthetics-and-aerodynamics-why-do-modern-cars-look-so-alike-1.932155

https://www.boeing.com/commercial/aeromagazine/articles/qtr_03_09/article_03_1.html#:~:text=Blended%20winglets%20are%20wingtip%20devices,Generation%20737%2D800%20in%202001

https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/fr/en/stories/wonder-winglets-things-end-wings.html

https://www.greencarcongress.com/2016/09/20160915-v.html

https://www.engineering.com/story/predators-behind-bars-a-story-of-bicycle-aerodynamics-and-manufacturing-wdlvde

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_737_MAX_certification

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/the-story-of-the-sr-71-blackbird-that-outran-gaddafis-sams-during-a-bda-flight-of-libya-in-support-of-operation-eldorado-canyon/

https://www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/lists/dont-drag-me-down-10-cars-that-mastered-aerodynamics/

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.10-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-all-new-2022-f1-car.4OLg8DrXyzHzdoGrbqp6ye.html

https://midjourney.com

 

Aerodynamics, Aesthetic Explorations, High performance
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4 Comments. Leave new

  • Abigail Schefer
    March 21, 2023 8:27 pm

    This is really cool and well researched! I have always thought of aerodynamics as a design principle rather than an aesthetic, so this is a cool new perspective. It also makes me wonder what kind of impact the word “aerodynamic” has on a consumer when used for branding.

    Reply
  • I am very much a fan of the aesthetic of something that is aerodynamic but I’m curious what your thoughts on the disconnect between what “looks” aerodynamic versus what is “actually” aerodynamic. In a similar vein to the Saab (beautiful car btw) what are your thoughts on Jaguars are Citroen of the time which were touted for their sleek, “aerodynamic” design but in hindsight with aid of computer simulations it has been found that they are incredibly un-aerodynamics. Today, aerodynamics is much more important due the shear number of super/hyper cars and I’m glad that is a focus of this essay.

    Reply
  • This is an extremely cool and unique aesthetic that flew over my head when I was thinking about what to blog about. I thought the insight on surface finishes and performance vs cost and their impacts on the aesthetics of aerodynamics was really interesting. I recently watched this video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEiMi1GNKM0, where the guy, Matt, found that his 1950 Jaguar MK V was more aerodynamic when reversed into the oncoming air flow. Back when this car was developed, engineers believed that it was an aerodynamic shape, where today we realize it is quite an inefficient shape. Do you think that something like this can happen again in today’s world with our better understanding of aerodynamics and strong computing capabilities? Do you think that the general look of cars and their aerodynamic aesthetics will change in 50+ years like they did from when the Jaguar was produced to now?

    Reply
  • Riley Dressel
    February 3, 2023 2:18 pm

    Aerodynamics as an aesthetic is an incredibly interesting choice. I had never really considered engineering for the sake of efficiency to have such a large impact upon the design and feel of an object, but with the images you’ve provided, the fact is undeniable. From the sleek designs of the first cars to our modern fighter jets, the way the we’ve allowed this aesthetic to invade so much of our daily lives is truly astounding. This being stated, all of your objects and examples provided generally experience motion of some sort that is associated with their use. Do structural engineers ever design with airflow and drag in mind? Do wind patterns around stationary objects such as buildings play a role in their design? And if so, are there any examples of this?

    Reply

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