Profile

Dr Robert Dominy, BSc DIC PhD

(email at r.g.dominy@durham.ac.uk)

Biography

Rob Dominy is a Reader in Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics in the School of Engineering.

He graduated with a first class honours degree in Mechanical Engineering during which he was sponsored by the Helicopter Engines Group of Rolls Royce. After spending a further short period with Rolls Royce he was appointed as a Research Assistant in the Aeronautics Department of Imperial College, London to study rarefied hypersonic shock wave and blunt body flows using experimental and computational techniques. This was followed by a period of post-doctoral research at Cambridge University's Whittle Laboratory focused on turbine aerodynamics and funded by Rolls Royce.

Whilst at Imperial College he developed his interest in vehicle aerodynamics, working with Formula One teams and later as the consultant aerodynamicist for the successful Jaguar, Toyota and Nissan Le Mans programmes.

In 1989 he was appointed to a lectureship at Durham University's School of Engineering where he now holds the position of Reader and heads the School's Energy Research and Teaching Group. He retains his research interests in turbomachinery and vehicle aerodynamics which have expanded to embrace renewable energy and other aspects of wind engineering and industrial aerodynamics. His paper on vertical axis wind turbines was awarded the IMechE's Donald Julius Groen Prize for the best publication of 2007 in the field of Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics.

Research Groups

• Energy Research Group

Research Interests

• Industrial aerodynamics
• Turbomachinery
• Vehicle aerodynamics

Selected Publications

Articles: magazine

• Wilson, Michael & Dominy, Robert (2009). Turbulent Times. Professional MotorSport World Annual Showcase 2010: 28-32.
• Dominy,RG & Wilson,MR (2008). The Aerodynamics of Slipstreaming. ATZautotechnology 8: 56-60.

Books: sections

• Dominy, R.G. (2001). Body Design: Aerodynamics. In An Introduction to Modern Vehicle Design. Happian-Smith, J UK: Butterworth Heinemann. 111-124.
• Hodson, H.P & Dominy, R.G. (1993). Annular and Rotating Cascades. In Advanced Methods for Cascade Testing. Hirsch, C. France: AGARD. 73-85.

Conference papers

• Supakit Worasinchai, Grant Ingram & Robert Dominy (2011), THE EFFECTS OF IMPROVED STARTING CAPABILITY ON ENERGY YIELD FOR SMALL HAWTS, GT2011-45674: ASME Turbo Expo 2011. June 6-10, 2011, Vancouver, Canada.
• Felix Forster, David Sims-Williams , Grant Ingram & Robert Dominy (2011), TIME RESOLVED MEASUREMENTS IN THE DURHAM CASCADE, GT2011-45838: ASME Turbo Expo 2011. June 6-11, 2011, Vancouver, Canada, ASME.
• Greaves, P, Dominy, R, Ingram, G & Court, R (2010), Evaluation of Dual Axis Resonant Testing of Wind Turbine Blades, 6th PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe Trondheim, Norway, The European Academy of Wind Energy.
• Lim,CH, Brown,NL, Bumby,JR, Dominy,RG, Ingram,GL, Mahkamov,K & Shanel,M (2008), 2-D Lumped-Parameter Thermal Modelling of Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Generators, International Conference on Electrical Machines International Conference on Electrical Machines. Portugal.
• Airoldi,G, Brown,NL, Bumby,JR, Dominy,RG, Ingram,GL, Mahkamov,K & Shanel,M (2008), CFD Parametric Study on Ventilation of Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Machines, International Conference on Electrical Machines International Conference on Electrical Machines 2008. Portugal.
• Norris, G.N., Dominy, R.G. & Smith, A.D. (1999), Flow Instability within a Diffusing, Annular S-Shaped Duct, ASME Turbo Expo. ASME, USA.
• Norris, G., Dominy, R.G. & Smith, A.D. (1998), Strut Influences within a Diffusing Annular S-Shaped Duct, ASME Turbo Expo 1998. ASME, USA.
• Dominy, R.G., Kirkam, D.A. & Smith, A.D. (1996), An Investigation of Inter-Turbine Diffuse Flows, ASME Turbo Expo. The Hague, Netherlands, ASME, USA.
• Marsh,H., Dominy, R.G. & Gregory-Smith, D.G. (1996), Integrated Gas Turbine Technology Education at Durham University, ASME TURBO EXPO 1994. The Hague, Netherlands, ASME, USA.

Edited works: conference proceedings

• Oettle, N., Sims-Williams, D., Dominy, R., Darlington, C., Freeman, C. & Tindall, P. (2010). The Effects of Unsteady On-Road Flow Conditions on Cabin Noise. SAE 2010 World Congress & Exhibition, April 2010,, Detroit, USA., SAE.
• Lim,C.H., Airoldi,G., Bumby,J.R., Dominy,R.G., Ingram,G.L., Mahkamov,K, Brown,N.L., Mebarki,A. & Shannel,M. (2009). 2D lumped parameter model of axial flux permanent magnet generator: investiagations of convective thermal circuits. International Conference on Computer, Electrical, and Systems Science, and Engineering, Venice, Italy, WASET.
• Airoldi,G., Bumby,J.R., Dominy,R.G., Ingram,G.L. , Lim,C.H., Mahkamov,K, Brown,N.L., Mebarki,A. & Shannel,M. (2009). Air flow and heat transfer modeling of an axial flux permanent magnet generator. International Conference on Computer, Electrical, and Systems Science, and Engineering, Venice, Italy, WASET.
• Lawson, A, Sims-Williams, DB & Dominy, R (2008). Effects of On-Road Turbulence on Vehicle Surface Pressures in the A-Pillar Region. SAE 2008 International Congress, Detroit, SAE.
• Wilson,MR, Dominy,RG & Sims-Williams,DB (2008). The Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Race Car Wing Operating in a Wake. SAE International Congress, Detroit, USA, SAE.
• Dominy,RG & LeGood,G (2008). The use of a bluff body wake generator for wind tunnel studies of NASCAR drafting aerodynamics. SAE Motorsports Engineering Conference, Concord, NC, USA, SAE.
• Lawson, A.A., Dominy, R.G., Sims-Williams, D.B. & Mears, A.P. (2007). A Comparison between On-Road and Wind Tunnel Surface Pressure Measurements on a Mid-Sized Hatchback. SAE International Congress, Detroit, USA, SAE.
• Mears, A.P., Crossland, S. C. & Dominy, R. G. (2004). An Investigation into the Flow-Field About an Exposed Racing Wheel. SAE International Congress, Detroit, USA, Society of Automotive Engineers Inc.
• Mears, A.P. & Dominy, R.G. (2004). Racing Car Wheel Aerodynamics – Comparisons between Experimental and CFD derived Flow-Field Data. SAE 2004 International Motorsports Congress, Dearborn, SAE.
• Dominy, R.G. & Richardson, S. (2004). The Aerodynamic Characteristics of a WRC Rally Car at High Slip Angles. SAE 2004 International Motorsports Congress, Dearborn, USA., SAE.
• Dominy, R.G. (2002). Sports Prototype Race Car Optimization. SAE Motorsports Engineering Conference, Inianapolis, USA, SAE.
• Mears, A.P., Dominy, R.G. & Sims-Williams, D.B. (2002). The Air Flow about an Exposed Racing Wheel. Proceedings of the 2002 SAE Motorsports Engineering Conference and Exhibition, Detroit, USA, SAE.
• Sims-Williams, D.B. & Dominy, R.G. (2002). The Design of a New Wind Tunnel for Vehicle Aerodynamics Research. MIRA International Conference on Vehicle Aerodynamics, Warwick, England, MIRA.
• Sims-Williams, D.B. & Dominy, R.G. (2002). The Design of an Open-Jet Wind Tunnel for Model Testing. SAE Motorsports Engineering Conference, Indianapolis, USA, SAE.
• Dominy, R (2001). Optimization of a Sports Prototype Race Car for the Le Mans 24-hour Race. Sussex, England, Professional Engineering Publishing Ltd.
• Crossland, S.C., Sims-Williams, D.B. & Dominy, R.G. (2000). The Reconstruction of Bluff-Body Unsteady Flow Fields. 9th International Symposium on Flow Visualization, Edinburgh, UK..
• Sims-Williams, D.B. & Dominy, R.G. (1998). Experimental investigation into unsteadiness and instability in passenger car aerodynamics. SAE International Congress, Detroit, USA., SAE.
• Sims-Williams, D.B. & Dominy, R.G. (1998). The Validation and Application of a 5 Hole Pressure Probe with Tubing Transfer Correction for Time-Accurate Measurements in Unsteady Flows. Second MIRA International Conference on Vehicle Aerodynamics, Coventry, UK., MIRA.
• Ryan, A. & Dominy, R.G. (1997). The transient aerodynamic characteristics of a passenger vehicle passing through a cross-wind jet. Mechanical Engineering Publishing Ltd.
• Dominy, R.G. & Docton, M.K.R. (1996). Numerical Predictions of Flow around a Simple Form under the Influence of a Transient Cross-Wind Gust. MIRA International Conference on Vehicle Aerodynamics, Birmingham, UK, MIRA.
• Docton, M.K.R. & Dominy, R.G. (1996). The Side Load Distribution on a Range Rover under Simulated Cross Wind Conditions. 3rd UK Conference on Wind Engineering, Oxford, UK, Institution of Civil Engineers, Wind Engineering Society.
• Docton, M.K.R. & Dominy, R.G. (1996). The Simulation of Transient Cross-Winds on Passenger Vehicles. MIRA International Conference on Vehicle Aerodynamics, Birmingham, UK, MIRA.
• Dominy, R.G. (1995). Flow Unsteadiness over Passenger Vehicle Rear Surfaces. Autotech 95, Birmingham, UK, Mechanical Engineering Publications Ltd.
• Dominy, R.G. & Kirkham, D.A. (1995). The Influence of Swirl on the Performance of Inter-Turbine Diffusers. VDI-Verlag GMBH.
• Dominy, R.G. & Harding, S.C. (1990). An Investigation of Secondary Flows in Nozzle Guide Vanes. Secondary Flows in Turbomachines, Luxembourg, NATO AGARD.

Journal papers: academic

• Greaves, P.G., Dominy, R.G., Ingram, G.L., Long, H. & Court, G.L. (2012). Evaluation of dual-axis fatigue testing of large wind turbine blades. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineering Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science 226(7): 1693-1704
• S Worasinchai, G Ingram & R Dominy (2011). A low-Reynolds-number, high-angle-of-attack investigation of wind turbine aerofoils. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Journal of Power and Energy 225(6): 748-763.
• Sprot,A.J., Minto,J.B., Sims-Williams,D.B. & Dominy,R.G. (2011). Aerodynamic Investigation on the Effect of Varying Through-Hub Flow on a Formula One Front Wheel Assembly. Journal of Passenger Cars, Mechanical Systems 4(1): 929-944.
• Lim, C.H., Airoldi, G, Dominy, R. G. & Mahkamov, K. (2011). Experimental validation of CFD modelling for heat transfer coefficient predictions in axial flux permanent magnet generators. International Journal of Thermal Sciences 50(12): 2451-2463.
• Mankowski,O., Sims-Williams,D.B., Dominy,R., Duncan,B. & Gargoloff,J (2011). The Bandwidth of Transient Yaw Effects on Vehicle Aerodynamics. Journal of Passenger Cars, Mechanical Systems 4(1): 131-142.
• Oettle,N.R., Sims-Williams,D.B., Dominy,R.G., Darlington,C. & Freeman,C. (2011). The Effects of Unsteady On-Road Flow Conditions on Cabin Noise: Spectral and Geometric Dependence. SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars Mechanical Systems 4(1): 120-130.
• Lim, C.H., Airoldi, G., Bumby, J.R., Dominy, R.G., Ingram, G.L., Mahkamov, K., Brown, N.L. Mebarki, A. & Shanel, M. (2010). Experimental and CFD investigation of a lumped parameter thermal model of a single-sided, slotted axial flux generator. International Journal of Thermal Sciences 49(9): 1732-1741.
• Hill, N, Dominy, R., Ingram, G. & Dominy, J (2009). Darrieus turbines: the physics of self-starting. Proc. IMechE Part A: J. Power and Energy 223(1): 21-29.
• Lawson, A.A., Sims-Williams, D.B. & Dominy, R.G. (2009). Effects of On-Road Turbulence on Vehicle Surface Pressures in the A-Pillar Region. SAE Int. J. Passenger Cars - Mech.Syst 1(1): 333-340.
• Wilson, M.R., Dominy, R.G. & Straker, A. (2009). The Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Race Car Wing Operating in a Wake. SAE Int. J. Passenger Cars - Mech.Syst 1(1): 552-559.
• Dominy, R.G. & LeGood, G. (2009). The use of a Bluff Body Wake Generator for Wind Tunnel Studies of NASCAR Drafting Aerodynamics. SAE Int. J. Passenger Cars - Mech.Syst 1(1): 1404-1410.
• Corin, RJ, He, L & Dominy, RG (2008). A CFD investigation into the transient aerodynamic forces on overtaking road vehicle models. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics 96(8): 1390-1411.
• Lawson,AA, Dominy,RG, Sims-Williams,DB & Mears,AP (2008). A Comparison between On-Road and Wind Tunnel Surface Pressure Measurements on a Mid-Sized Hatchback. SAE 2007 Transactions Journal of Passenger Cars:Mechanical Systems 116-6: 983-992.
• Dominy, R., Lunt, P., Bickerdyke, A. & Dominy, J (2007). Self-starting capability of a Darrieus turbine. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Journal of Power and Energy 221(1): 111-120.
• Lawson A. A., Dominy, R. G. & Sheppard, A. (2004). A comparison of on-track and wind tunnel surface pressure measurements on a compact SUV. SAE 2003 transactions journal of passenger cars mechanical systems 112(6): 758-767.
• Sims-Williams, D. B., Dominy, R. G. & Howell, J. P. (2002). An investigation into large scale unsteady structures in the wake of real and idealized hatchback car models. SAE 2001 transactions journal of passenger cars mechanical systems 110(6): 1197-1208.
• Dominy, R. G., Ryan, A. & Sims-Williams, D. B. (2001). The aerodynamic stability of a Le Mans prototype race car under off-design pitch conditions. SAE 2000 transactions journal of passenger cars mechanical systems 109(6): 1454-1460.
• Ryan, A. & Dominy, R. G. (2001). Wake surveys behind a passenger car subjected to a transient cross-wind gust. SAE 2000 transactions journal of passenger cars mechanical systems 109(6): 1461-1469.
• Dominy, R.G. & Ryan, A. (2000). Improved Wind Tunnel Configuration for the Investigation of Aerodynamics Cross Wind Gust Response. SAE 1999 Transactions, Journal of Passenger Cars 6: 1571-1578.
• Dominy, R.G., Ryan, A. & Sims-Williams, D.B. (2000). The Influence of Slipstreaming on Sports Prototype Race Car Performance. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers 214(D8): 887-894.
• Sims-Williams, D.B. & Dominy, R.G. (2000). The Reconstruction of Periodic Pressure Fields from Point Measurements. SAE 1999 Transactions, Journal of Passenger Cars 6: 1564-1570.
• Sims-Williams, D.B., White, A.J. & Dominy, R.G. (1999). Gurney Flap Aerodynamic Unsteadiness. Sports Engineering (2): 221-233.
• Dominy, R.G., Kirkham, D.A. & Smith, A.D. (1998). Flow development through inter turbine diffusers. ASME Journal of Turbomachinery 120: 298-304.
• Dominy, R.G. & Ryan, A. (1998). The Aerodynamic Forces Induced on a Passenger Vehicle in Response to a Transient Cross-Wind gust at a relative incidence of 30 degrees. Transactions of the SAE, Journal of Passenger Cars 107(6): 137-145.
• Norris, G. & Dominy, R.G. (1997). Diffusion Rate Influences on Inter-Turbine Diffusers. Proceedings Of The Institution Of Mechanical Engineers Part A-journalOf Power And Energy 211(3): 235-242.
• Dominy, R.G. (1997). Fuel Saving by the Optimized use of Cab Roof Fairings for Typical Articulated Vehicle Operating Cycles. Proceedings Of The Institution Of Mechanical Engineers Part D-journal of Automobile Engineering 211(3): 219-226.
• Dominy, R.G. & Kirkham, D.A. (1996). The influence of blade wakes on the performance of inter-turbine diffusers. Transactions of the ASME - Journal Of Turbomachinery 118(2): 347-352.
• Dominy, R.G. & Hodson, H.P. (1993). An Investigation of Factors Influencing the Calibration of 5-Hole Probes for 3-Dimensional Flow Measurements. Transactions of the ASME-Journal Of Turbomachinery 115(3): 513-519.
• Harvey, J.K., Celenligil, M.C., Dominy, R.G. & Gilmore, M.R. (1992). A Flat-Ended Circular Cylinder in Hypersonic Rarefied Flow. Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer 6(1): 35-43.
• Dominy, R.G. (1992). Aerodynamics of Grand Prix cars. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering 206(D4): 267-274.
• Dominy, R.G. (1991). A Technique for the Investigation of Transient Aerodynamic Forces on Road Vehicles in Cross Winds. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering 205(D4): 245-250.
• Dominy, R.G. (1990). The Influence of Slipstreaming on the performance of a Grand Prix Car. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering 204(D1): 35-40.
• Hodson, H.P. & Dominy, R.G. (1987). 3-Dimensional Flow in a Low-Pressure Turbine Cascade at its Design Condition. Transactions of the ASME-Journal Of Turbomachinery 109(2): 177-185.
• Hodson, H.P. & Dominy, R.G. (1987). The Off-Design Performance of a Low-Pressure Turbine Cascade. Transactions of the ASME - Journal Of Turbomachinery 109(2): 201-209.
• Dominy, J.A. & Dominy, R.G. (1984). Aerodynamic Influences on the Performance of the Grand Prix Racing Car. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering 198: 1-7.
• Davis, J., Dominy, R.G., Harvey, J.K. & Macrossan, M.N. (1983). An Evaluation of some Collision Models used for Monte-Carlo Calculations of Diatomic Rarefied Hypersonic Flows. Journal Of Fluid Mechanics 135: 355-371.

Journal papers: popular

• Dominy, R.G. (1996). The Power of Simulation. Racecar Engineering 6(2): 44-47.

Show all publications

Media Contacts

Available for media contact about:

• Engineering: Other contexts: automotive engineering
• Engineering: Other contexts: race car design

Supervises

• Mr Chin Lim
• Ms Tatiana Delorm
• Mr Adam Sprot
• Mr. Peter Greaves
• Mr Peter Wyllie
• Mr Nicholas Cresswell
• Mr Oliver Mankowski
• Mr Joshua Newbon
• Mr Charalampos (a.k.a Harry) Kounenis
• Mr Longhuan Du