1. Context

1.1 A brief history of aerodynamics, from aviation to trains

The etymology of the term aerodynamics comes from the Greek aerios (meaning air) and dunamikos (force). It is therefore a branch of fluid dynamics concerned with understanding and analyzing the flow of air around a moving body. This applies to living beings such as birds, and to various means of transport such as aircraft, automobiles and trains. Historically, the ability to fly has always fascinated mankind, from the dream of Icarus in mythology to Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519). By observing the flight of birds and their physiology, he discovered the existence of pressure differences around a wing (figure 1...