Professor of Aerodynamics, Aeronautics and Astronautics
Performed sustained new research into aircraft aerodynamics, noise and its control. Airbus, a company that produces around half of the world’s aircraft and employs more than 60,000 people across the EU, has integrated the outcomes of Zhang’s research into its key design processes. This has increased Airbus’ capacity to meet strict EU targets. The value of the research is best evidenced by Airbus’ decision to establish the Airbus Noise Technology Centre (ANTC) in 2008; the ANTC is the only Airbus university based noise technology centre in the world. Zhang has led research which transformed understanding of the causes of aircraft noise pollution and how to mitigate it. The Centre’s computational modelling has enabled industry to predict noise generation quicker and cheaper than previously possible. The work has taken industry closer to meeting noise reduction targets (65% reduction in perceived noise by 2050 – EU Flightpath 2050 target).
Led efforts to design predictive methods for aircraft noise. For example, landing gears had previously been designed other considerations, not noise reduction. In the past, aircraft manufacturers would have had to resort to empirical methods and testing through the use of wind tunnels. It is a costly procedure. Zhang developed a landing gear noise prediction computer model based on physics. The Southampton Landing Gear Aeroacoustic Prediction model (SotonLGAP) allows designers to test radically different landing gear designs. Airbus engineers are employing SotonLGAP, at both their UK and French sites. The method is saving Airbus significant amounts of money. Without it, they would have to resort to testing at the wind tunnel, at a cost of £20,000 a day. The model allows Airbus engineers to tackle the issue of noise much earlier in the design process. It also cuts out time-consuming and costly remedial work. Research work by the ANTC on tonal noise
Developed new high-order numerical schemes, acoustic boundary conditions, numerical methods such as adaptive mesh refinement and Fourier pseudo-spectral time-domain methods, acoustic liner modelling, high-order interface conditions, and equations for efficient and stable computation of sound propagation for aircraft applications e.g. linearsied divergence equations. Also developed highly efficient computing codes based on graphic processing units. The methods led to design and construction of noise prediction codes used by industry. For example, noise targets also include exacting emissions reduction targets. These have forced aircraft and engine manufacturers to consider radical redesigns of their products, prompting renewed interest in contra-rotating open rotor designs. The game changing open rotor decision will rest on whether or not the engines comply with noise targets. To inform its decision, Airbus has used Broadband Noise of Open Rotor Blades (BOB) code to predict broadband noise and noise attenuation and in design. Zhang also built other design codes
Performed pioneering research into car aerodynamics and established ground effect aerodynamics for racing car as a serious academic discipline. Worked on wing and diffuser in ground effect aerodynamics, and rotating wheel aerodynamics. For the first time, leading research work led to classification of flow / force regimes in ground effect which form current understanding in design process. This area of research formed Southampton submission and award of 2012 Queen’s Prize in performance sport and engineering excellence. Research supported by leading teams, e.g. Honda, Penske, Tyrrell, BAR, Jaguar. Graduated PhDs who now lead F1 racing car designs in various companies. Also established the 1st MSc course in racing car aerodynamics in the world.
Served on various academic committees; conducted PhD viva for universities in the UK and Europe; invited speakers on a number of conferences; consultants for industry. Appointed as Yang Tze Rive Chair Professor by the Ministry of Education, China, in 2009
