Drag Force in Flow Over a Body Test Sheet

The body test used is prism.

Sample Calculation
a) Reynold No
𝜌𝑉𝐷
Re =
𝜇

Where Density of air, ρ = 1.23 kg/𝑚3

Dynamic viscosity = 1.7965E-05 𝑚2 /𝑠
(1.23)(8)(0.03)
Re = = 16431.951
1.7965E−05

b) Net Drag Force (Upstream) = Drag force (Upstream)-Rigid Rod Drag Force
= 0.16-0.099
= 0.061 N
 𝐹𝑑
c) Drag Coefficient, 𝐶𝑑 = 1
𝜌𝐷 2 𝑉 2
2
Height = Diameter = 3cm and width, w=8cm
Area of body test, A = (0.03m)x(0.08m)
= 0.0024 𝑚2

0.061
𝐶𝑑 = 1
(1.23)(0.03)2 (8)2
2

= 1.722
d) Net Drag Force (Downstream) = Drag force (Downstream)-Rigid Rod Drag Force
= 0.11-0.099
= 0.011 N

𝐹𝑑
e) Drag Coefficient, 𝐶𝑑 = 1
𝜌𝐷 2 𝑉 2
2

0.011
𝐶𝑑 = 1
(1.23)(0.03)2 (8)2
2

= 0.311

f) Net Drag Coefficient, 𝐶𝑑 (UP-DOWN) = 𝐶𝑑 (Upstream) - 𝐶𝑑 (Downstream)

= 1.722 – 0.311
= 1.411

Percentage Error
𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙−𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙
Percentage Error, % error = 𝑥 100%
𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙

a) Body base surface facing upstream,

Actual value of 𝐶𝑑 = 2.00

Experimental value of 𝐶𝑑 (Average) = 1.86

% error = 7%
 b) Body base surface facing downstream,

Actual value of 𝐶𝑑 = 1.55

Experimental value of 𝐶𝑑 (Average) = 1.35

% error = 12.9 %

Graph
a)

Cd Net vs Re
1.600
1.400
1.200
1.000
Cd Net

0.800
0.600
0.400
0.200
0.000

Re

b)

Cd Net vs Velocity
1.600
1.400
1.200
1.000
Cd Net

0.800
0.600
0.400
0.200
0.000
8 10 12 14 16 18 20
velocity (m/s)