Staff profile

Prof. Sims-Williams undergraduate teaching includes/has included Level 1 Fluid Mechanics, Level 1 Programming, Level 2 Heat Transfer, Level 3 Compressible Flow, Level 3 Materials Selection, Level 4 Low Carbon Vehicles, Level 4 Turbomachinery and Level 4 Aeromechanics (Theoretical Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics).

Prof. Sims-WIlliams acts as Faculty Advisor to the Durham University Electric Motorsport team (see www.duem.org).

Research Project topics include:

• Impacts of Unsteady Onset Flows on Vehicles
• Unsteady and Asymmetric Wake Flows Behind Bluff Bodies
• The Development of Instrumentation - especially pneumatic probe measurements for unsteady flows
• Flow Measurements Around Rotating Wheels including Telemetry Development

• Road and Racing Car Aerodynamics
• The Development of Advanced Wind Tunnel Instrumentation and Analyses
• Aerodynamic Unsteadiness

Available for media contact about:

• Engineering: Aerodyamics - Especially Road Vehicle Aerodynamics, Racing Car Aerodynamics, Fluid Flow Istrumentation

Chapter in book

• Yang, H, Sims-Williams, DB & He, L (2006). Unsteady Measurement with Correction on Tubing Distortion. In Unsteady Aerodynamics, Aeroacoustics and Aeroelasticity of Turbomachines. KC Hall, RE Kielb & JP Thomas Springer.

Conference Paper

• Sims-Williams, D, Kounenis, C, Dominy, R & Oettle, N (Accepted), Three Dimensional Beamforming for Improved Noise Source Localisation, in Wiedemann, J eds, 10th FKFS Conference Progress in Vehicle Aerodynamics and Thermal Management. Stuttgart, Germany, Expert Verlag, 17-29.
• Kremheller, A., Moore, M., Le Good, G., Sims-Williams, D.B., Newbon, J. & Lewis, R. (2016), The Effects of Transient Flow Conditions on the Aerodynamics of an LCV Concept using CFD and Wind Tunnel Experiments, International Conference on Vehicle Aerodynamics 2016. Coventry, Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), London, 189-201.
• Kounenis, Charalampos, Bonitz, Sabine, Ljungskog, Emil, Sims-Williams, David, Lofdahl, Lennart, Broniewicz, Alexander, Larsson, Lars & Sebben, Simone (2016), Investigations of the Rear-End Flow Structures on a Sedan Car, SAE Technical Paper Series 1: SAE 2016 World Congress and Exhibition. Detroit, Michigan, Society of Automotive Engineers, 2016-01-1606.
• Newbon, J.J., Sims-Williams, D.B. & Dominy, R,G. (2016), Analysis of the Impacts of Formula 1 Car Wakes on the Aerodynamic Performance of a Following Vehicle, Aerovehicles 2 (Second international Conference in Numerical and Experimental Aerodynamics of Road Vehicles and Trains). Göteborg, Sweden.
• Kounenis, Charalampos, Sims-Williams, David, Dominy, Robert, Berson, Arganthaël, Oettle, Nicholas & Freeman, Claire (2015), The Effects of Unsteady Flow Conditions on Vehicle in Cabin and External Noise Generation, SAE Technical Paper Series 1: SAE 2015 World Congress & Exhibition. Detroit, Michigan, Society of Automotive Engineers, 2015-01-1555.
• Kounenis, C.D., Sims-Williams, D.B., Dominy, R.G., Berson, A. & Oettle, N.R. (2014), Interactions between Underbody Aerodynamics and Aeroacoustics, International Vehicle Aerodynamics Conference. Loughborough, UK, Woodhead Publishing, Loughborough, 263-273.
• Mankowski, O.A., Sims-Williams, D.B., Hunt, A. & Dominy, R.G. (2014), An Active Turbulence Generation System for the Simulation of Aerodynamic Transients in a Model Wind Tunnel, Aerovehicles 1. Bordeau, France, Bordeaux.
• Newbon, J.J., Sims-Williams, D.B. & Dominy, R.G. (2014), Investigation into the effect of the wake from a generic formula one car on a downstream vehicle, International Vehicle Aerodynamics Conference. Loughborough, UK, Woodhead Publishing, Loughborough, 213-223.
• Oettle, N.R., Sims-Williams, D.B. & Dominy, R.G. (2013), Evaluation of the Aeroacoustic Response of a Vehicle to Transient Flow Conditions, in Wiedemann, J. eds, 9th FKFS Conference Progress in Vehicle Aerodynamics and Thermal Management. Stuttgart, Germany, Expert Verlag, Stuttgart, 228-242.
• Förster, Felix, Sims-Williams, David & Ingram, Grant (2012), Reconstruction of the Unsteady Pressure Field in a Low Speed Linear Cascade, Turbomachinery, Parts A, B, and C 8: ASME Turbo Expo 2012: Turbine Technical Conference and Exposition. Copenhagen, Denmark, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Copenhagen, 2653-2662.
• Felix Forster, David Sims-Williams Grant Ingram & Robert Dominy (2011), Time resolved measurements in the Durham Cascade, GT2011-45838: ASME Turbo Expo 2011. Vancouver, Canada, ASME, Vancouver, British Columbia, 761-773.
• 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 Special Publications SP-2269: SAE 2010 World Congress & Exhibition, April 2010,. Detroit, USA., SAE, Detroit MI.
• Allen, N. J., Wood, D., Rosamond, M. C. & Sims-Williams, D. B. (2009), Fabrication of an in-plane SU-8 cantilever with integrated strain gauge for wall shear stress measurements in fluid flows, in Brugger, J. & Briand, D. eds, Procedia Chemistry 1: Eurosensors XXIII conference. Lausanne, Switzerland, Elsevier, 923-926.
• Hetherington, B & Sims-Williams, DB (2006), Support Strut Interference Effects on Passenger and Racing car Wind Tunnel Models, SAE World Congress. Detroit, USA., Detroit MI.
• Sims-Williams, DB, Kaye, S & Watkins, S (2006), Periodic Structures within the Formation Region of Trailing Vortices, SAE World Congress. Detroit, USA., Detroit MI.
• Yang, H, Sims-Williams, DB & He, L (2003), Unsteady Measurement with Correction on Tubing Distortion, 10th International Symposium on Unsteady Aerodynamics, Aeroacoustics and Aeroelasticity in Turbomachines. Duke University, Durham, USA., Duke University, Durham.
• Sims-Williams, DB & Dominy, RG (2002), The Design of a New Wind Tunnel for Vehicle Aerodynamics Research, MIRA Vehicle Aerodynamics Conference. Warwick, UK, Warwick.
• Sims-Williams, DB & Dominy, RG (2002), The Design of an Open-Jet Wind Tunnel for Model Testing, SAE Motorsports Engineering Conference. Indianapolis, Indiana, USA., Indianapolis IN.
• Crossland, SC, Sims-Williams, DB & Dominy, RG (2000), The Reconstruction of Bluff-Body Unsteady Flow Fields, 9th International Symposium on Flow Visualization. Edinburgh, UK, Edinburgh.
• Sims-Williams, DB & Dominy, RG (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., Coventry.
• Sims-Williams DB & Dominy RG (1998), Experimental investigation into unsteadiness and instability in passenger car aerodynamics, SAE World Congress. Detroit, USA., Detroit MI.

Doctoral Thesis

• Sims-Williams, DB (2001). Self-Excited Aerodynamic Unsteadiness Associated with Passenger Cars. School of Engineering. University of Durham. PhD.

Journal Article

• Oettle, Nicholas & Sims-Williams, David (2017). Automotive aeroacoustics: An overview. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering 231(9): 1177-1189.
• Newbon, Joshua, Sims-Williams, David & Dominy, Robert (2017). Aerodynamic Analysis of Grand Prix Cars Operating in Wake Flows. SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars - Mechanical Systems 10(1): SAE Paper 2017-01-1546, 318-329.
• Newbon, Joshua, Dominy, Robert & Sims-Williams, David (2015). CFD Investigation of the Effect of the Salient Flow Features in the Wake of a Generic Open-Wheel Race Car. SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars - Mechanical Systems 8(1): 217-232.
• Mankowski, O.A., Sims-Williams, D.B. & Dominy, R.G. (2014). A Wind Tunnel Simulation Facility for On-Road Transients. SAE International journal of passenger cars. Mechanical systems 7(3): 1087-1095.
• Oettle, N.R., Sims-Williams, D.B. & Dominy, R.G. (2014). Assessing the Aeroacoustic Response of a Vehicle to Transient Flow Conditions from the Perspective of a Vehicle Occupant. SAE International journal of passenger cars. Mechanical systems 7(2): 550-558.
• Oettle, Nicholas, Mankowski, Oliver, Sims-Williams, David, Dominy, Robert & Freeman, Claire (2013). Evaluation of the Aerodynamic and Aeroacoustic Response of a Vehicle to Transient Flow Conditions. SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars- Mechanical Systems 6(1): 389-402.
• Howell, J, Sims-Williams, D, Sprot, A, Hamlin, F & Dominy, R (2012). Bluff Body Drag Reduction with Ventilated Base Cavities. SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars- Mechanical Systems 5(1): 152-160.
• Sprot, A.J., Sims-Williams, D.B. & Dominy, R.G. (2012). The Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Fully Deformable Formula One Wind Tunnel Tyre. SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars- Mechanical Systems 5(2): 1026-1041.
• Oettle, NR, Mankowski, O, Sims-Williams, DB, Dominy, RG, Freeman, CM & Gaylard, AP (2012). Assessment of a Vehicle's Transient Aerodynamic Response, SAE Paper 2012-01-0449. 12.
• Allen, NJ, Sims-Williams, DB & Wood, D (2012). An in-Plane Cantilever for Wall Shear Stress Measurement. Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering 22(7): 074007.
• Sims-Williams, D.B. (2011). Cross Winds and Transients: Reality, Simulation and Effects. SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars - Mechanical Systems 4(1): 172-183.
• Sprot, A.J., Minto, J., 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. SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars - Mechanical Systems 4(1): 929-944.
• 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.
• Sims-Williams, D.B., Marwood, D. & Sprot, A.J. (2011). Links between Notchback Geometry, Aerodynamic Drag, Flow Asymmetry and Unsteady Wake Structure. SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars - Mechanical Systems 4(1): 156-165.
• Lawson, A.A., Dominy, R.G., Sims-Williams, D.B. & Mears, A.P. (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.
• Lawson, A., Sims-Williams, D.B. & Dominy, R. (2008). Effects of On-Road Turbulence on Vehicle Surface Pressures in the A-Pillar Region. SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars- Mechanical Systems 1(1): 333-340.
• Sims-Williams, DB & Luck, D (2007). Transfer function characterisation of pressure signal tubes for the measurement of large amplitude pressure fluctuations. Proceedings of the IMechE Part C Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science 221(6): 707-713.
• Muscroft, RJM, Sims-Williams, DB & Cardwell, DA (2006). The Development of a Passive Magnetic Levitation System for Wind Tunnel Models. SAE Transactions, Journal of Passenger Cars: Mechanical Systems 115(6): 415-419.
• Hetherington, B. & Sims-Williams, D. B. (2004). Wind tunnel model support strut interference. SAE 2004 transactions journal of passenger cars mechanical systems 113(6): 442-448.
• Sims-Williams, D. B. & Duncan, B. D. (2003). The Ahmed model unsteady wake experimental and computational analyses. SAE 2003 transactions journal of passenger cars mechanical systems 112(6): 1385-1396.
• 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.
• Duncan, B. D., Sengupta, R., Mallick, S. & Sims-Williams, D. B. (2002). Numerical simulation and spectral analysis of pressure fluctuations in vehicle aerodynamic noise generation. SAE 2002 transactions journal of passenger cars mechanical systems 111(6): 872-892.
• 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.
• Sims-Williams, DB & Dominy, RG (1999). The reconstruction of periodic pressure fields from point measurements. SAE Transactions 1999 Journal of Passenger Cars 1571-1578.
• Sims-Williams, D.B., White, A.J. & Dominy, R.G. (1999). Gurney Flap Aerodynamic Unsteadiness. Sports Engineering (2): 221-233.