LAB 3: CYLINDER LIFT AND DRAG

TO: REBECCA THOMPSON

FROM: MADIE KRIEGER
SECTION: MAE 331 - 04
LAB DATE: 24 SEPTEMBER 2024
DUE DATE: 7 OCTOBER 2024

1. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

The following questions and procedures were obtained from the laboratory manual [1]. The answers
and analyses were formulated from the data recorded during the experiment and information about
fundamentals of aerodynamics.

1) Calculate the actual cylinder Reynolds number based on the cylinder diameter and actual
freestream velocity.

The actual cylinder Reynolds number, ℜ, can be calculated using Equation 2, where ρ is the
density of the fluid, μ is the viscosity of the fluid, l is the cylinder diameter, and V act is the actual free
stream velocity, calculated using Equation 1. In Equation 1, q ∞ , act is the actual dynamic pressure
measured. These parameters were given by the lab conditions data, shown in Table 1.

√
√
2 q ∞ , act 2 ×329.5 ( Pa ) m
V act = = =23.02
( )
ρ kg s
1.24 3
m
(1 )

ℜ=
ρV act l
=
1.24
( )
kg
m
3
×23.0 2 ( )
m
s
×0.01905 ( m)
=29993.3
μ
1.818 × 10 ( )
−5 kg
m⋅ s
( 2)
 Table 1: Raw Experimental Data for Lab Conditions
Property Symbol Measurement Units

Temperature T 294.15 K

Pressure P 105000 Pa

Density ρ 1.24 kg/m3

Dynamic viscosity μ 0.0000181818720646007 kg/(m-s)

Cylinder diameter d 19.05 mm

Reynolds Number Re 30000

Velocity V 23.03 m/s

Actual Pressure q ∞ , act 329.5 Pa

One can observe that the calculated Reynolds number is very close to the Reynolds number
recorded in Table 1; therefore, it can be concluded that these recorded values are correct.

2) Using the dynamic pressure values recorded in Table 2 (from part A), calculate the cylinder
pressure coefficients (C p) at each circumferential angle (θ ) with Eq. (6), where the reference
values correspond to the actual freestream conditions ( q inf act). On one plot graph C p versus θ (in
degrees). On the same plot, graph the theoretical C p distribution derived from potential flow
theory given by Eq. (11) (note the 180° phase displacement).

The cylinder pressure coefficients, C p, can be calculated using Equation 2, where ( p− p ref ) is the
difference in local pressure and a reference pressure, given by Static Pressure Difference column in
Table 2, and ( 12 ρ V )
2

ref
is the reference dynamic pressure measured in the lab, which was equal to

1.324 ¿ H 2O . The theoretical C p distribution is calculated using Equation 3, where θ is the

circumferential angle. The cylinder C p and theoretical C p calculations at each circumferential angle
are shown in Table 3.

p− pref 1.156 (¿ H 2 O)
C p= = =0.873
( 12 ρ V )
2

ref
1.324 (¿ H 2 O)

( 3)
2 2
C p ,theoretical =1−4 sin ( 180° −θ )=1−4 sin ( 180 °−0° ) =1
(4 )

2
Table 2: Raw Experimental Data for Cylinder Surface Pressure Measurement
Theta (deg) Static Pressure Difference
(in H2O)

0 1.156
15 1.300
30 1.136
45 0.475
60 -0.430
75 -1.243
90 -1.516
105 -1.333
120 -1.275
135 -1.281
150 -1.360
165 -1.380
180 -1.459
195 -1.468
210 -1.447
225 -1.360
240 -1.343
255 -1.288
270 -1.263
285 -1.305
300 -1.510
315 -1.420
330 -0.665
345 0.285
360 0.987

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 Table 3: Calculated Cylinder and Theoretical C p
Theta (deg) Cp Theoretical C p

0 0.873112 1
15 0.981873 0.732050808
30 0.858006 0
45 0.358761 -1
60 -0.32477 -2
75 -0.93882 -2.732050808
90 -1.14502 -3
105 -1.0068 -2.732050808
120 -0.96299 -2
135 -0.96752 -1
150 -1.02719 0
165 -1.0423 0.732050808
180 -1.10196 1
195 -1.10876 0.732050808
210 -1.0929 0
225 -1.02719 -1
240 -1.01435 -2
255 -0.97281 -2.732050808
270 -0.95393 -3
285 -0.98565 -2.732050808
300 -1.14048 -2
315 -1.07251 -1
330 -0.50227 0
345 0.215257 0.732050808
360 0.745468 1

1.5
1
0.5
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
-0.5
Cp

-1
-1.5
-2
-2.5
-3
-3.5

Angle (Degrees)

Cp Theoretical Cp

4
 Figure 1: Cylinder and Theoretical C p Around Cylinder

3) Comment on any differences in the measured and theoretical pressure distributions.

The greatest differences between the measured and theoretical pressure distributions occur around
90 and 270 degrees, where the theoretical C p is equal to -3. At around 100 degrees, the cylinder C p
values level out and remain relatively constant around a value of -1 until approximately 300 degrees.
Potential flow theory describes why the pressure distribution around a cylinder differs in its
theoretical and real models. The experimental C p pressure distribution is shaped this way because
there is a wake caused by the cylinder. The ideal case described by potential flow theory neglects
viscosity, which causes wake, so it keeps the sinusoidal curve throughout the distribution.

4) Estimate the location of the separation point of the cylinder (Hint: the C p is constant in the wake
of the cylinder). Compare this value to the value indicated on Figure 4 (estimate as best you can).
Hint: remember to phase shift the value from Figure 4.

Using Figure 1, the separation point is estimated to be located at 100 degrees because this is the
point where C p begins to be constant. In Figure 2, the location of the separation point is also
estimated to be around 100 degrees when using the calculated Reynolds number of 29993.3.

Figure 2: Location of Measured Separation Points on a Circular Cylinder

5) Use Eq. (8) and the experimental C p values from Question (2) to calculate the cylinder lift
coefficient. How does this compare to the theoretical cylinder lift coefficient of C l = 0? What
conclusions about the data accuracy and cylinder aerodynamics can you draw from the lift
coefficient values?

To calculate the cylinder lift coefficient, C l, Equation 7 was used. However, to calculate the
integral in Equation 7, the trapezoidal rule was applied. The application of the trapezoidal rule can be

5
seen in Table 4, where f (θ) is given by Equation 5 and the trapezoidal area, A , is given by Equation
6.

f ( θ )=C p ( θ ) sin (θ)=0.8731 ×sin ( 0 )=0

(5 )

( y1 + y 2 ) ( 0+0.2541 )
A=
2
|x 1−x 2|= 2
|0−0.2618|=0.0333
(6 )
2π
−1
C l= ∫ C ( θ ) sin ( θ ) dθ=−1
2 0 p 2
( 0.0333+00894 +…+ (−0.0073 ) )=−0.334
( 7)

6
 Table 4: Trapezoidal Rule Calculations to Find C l
Angle Cp f (θ) A
(rad)
0.0000 0.8731 0.0000 0.0333
0.2618 0.9819 0.2541 0.0894
0.5236 0.8580 0.4290 0.0894
0.7854 0.3588 0.2537 -0.0036
1.0472 -0.3248 -0.2813 -0.1555
1.3090 -0.9388 -0.9068 -0.2686
1.5708 -1.1450 -1.1450 -0.2772
1.8326 -1.0068 -0.9725 -0.2365
2.0944 -0.9630 -0.8340 -0.1987
2.3562 -0.9675 -0.6841 -0.1568
2.6180 -1.0272 -0.5136 -0.1025
2.8798 -1.0423 -0.2698 -0.0353
3.1416 -1.1020 0.0000 0.0376
3.4034 -1.1088 0.2870 0.1091
3.6652 -1.0929 0.5465 0.1666
3.9270 -1.0272 0.7263 0.2101
4.1888 -1.0144 0.8785 0.2380
4.4506 -0.9728 0.9397 0.2479
4.7124 -0.9539 0.9539 0.2495
4.9742 -0.9856 0.9521 0.2539
5.2360 -1.1405 0.9877 0.2286
5.4978 -1.0725 0.7584 0.1321
5.7596 -0.5023 0.2511 0.0256
6.0214 0.2153 -0.0557 -0.0073
6.2832 0.7455 0.0000 0.0000

There seems to be a considerable difference between the calculated and theoretical C l, which
supports the conclusion that the data lacks accuracy.

6) Use Eq. (9) to calculate the cylinder drag coefficient.

The cylinder drag coefficient can be calculated using Equation 9. Again, the trapezoidal rule is
used the calculate the integral in the same manner as Question 5. These calculations are shown in
Table 5, where f (θ) is given by Equation 8. The trapezoidal area, A , is calculated using Equation 6.

f ( θ )=C p ( θ ) cos (θ )=0.8731 ×cos ( 0 )=0.8731

(8 )
2π
1 1
C d= ∫ C p (θ ) cos ( θ ) dθ= ( 0.238+0.221+…+ 0.125 )=1.108
2 0 2
(9)

7
8
 Table 5: Trapezoidal Rule Calculations to Find C d
Angle Cp f (θ) A
(rad)
0 0.873112 0.873112 0.238438
0.261799 0.981873 0.948417 0.221413
0.523599 0.858006 0.743055 0.130473
0.785398 0.358761 0.253683 0.011951
1.047198 -0.32477 -0.16239 -0.05306
1.308997 -0.93882 -0.24298 -0.03181
1.570796 -1.14502 -7E-17 0.03411
1.832596 -1.0068 0.260578 0.097137
2.094395 -0.96299 0.481495 0.152582
2.356194 -0.96752 0.684142 0.205999
2.617994 -1.02719 0.889573 0.248232
2.879793 -1.0423 1.006781 0.276034
3.141593 -1.10196 1.101964 0.284438
3.403392 -1.10876 1.070981 0.264085
3.665191 -1.0929 0.946479 0.218971
3.926991 -1.02719 0.726333 0.161466
4.18879 -1.01435 0.507175 0.099347
4.45059 -0.97281 0.251782 0.032958
4.712389 -0.95393 1.75E-16 -0.03339
4.974188 -0.98565 -0.2551 -0.10804
5.235988 -1.14048 -0.57024 -0.17392
5.497787 -1.07251 -0.75838 -0.15621
5.759587 -0.50227 -0.43497 -0.02972
6.021386 0.215257 0.207922 0.124799
6.283185 0.745468 0.745468 2.341958

7) Plot the dynamic pressure values from the cylinder wake traverse versus y-location.

Figure 3 was created by plotting the cylinder wake pressure values against the y-locations. These
values are found in Appendix A. The drop in the curve in Figure 3 indicates the wake of the cylinder.

9
 2.5

Dynamic Pressure (in H2O)

1.5

0.5

0
0 5 10 15 20 25

y-location (cm)

Figure 3: Dynamic Pressure at Different Locations in Wake Survey

8) Using the wake pressure measurements recorded in Table 3 (from part B) and Eq. (12), determine
the cylinder drag coefficient, where q and q ∞ are the local and freestream values of dynamic
pressure (measured at the same x location), d is the cylinder diameter, and y 1 and y 2 are the
beginning and ending coordinates of the vertical pressure probe traverse respectively. For the q ∞,
use the first dynamic pressure value recorded in the wake survey (i.e. the dynamic pressure at the
minimum y). Integrate between the points of maximum pressure drop (i.e. the wake).

The cylinder drag coefficient, C d, can be calculated using Equation …, where d is the cylinder’s
diameter and is equal to 1.1905 cm , y 1 and y 2 are the respective beginning and end locations of the
vertical pressure probe traverse, q is the local value of dynamic pressure, and q ∞ is the freestream
value of dynamic pressure as well as the first dynamic pressure value recorded in the wake survey,
shown in Appendix A, or the dynamic pressure of the minimum y. The value of q ∞ is 1.558 ( ¿ H 2O ) .
Additionally, y 1 and y 2 are chosen by observing Figure 3 and determining the location of the wake;
the values were determined to be 12.676 and 19.388, respectively. The integral is calculated by using
the trapezoidal rule, shown in Table 6, where f ( y ) is given by Equation 10. The area is again
calculated by using Equation 6.

f ( y )=
√ q q
− =
q ∞ q∞ √
1.275 ( ¿ H 2 O ) 1.275 ( ¿ H 2 O )
−
1.558 ( ¿ H 2 O ) 1.558 ( ¿ H 2 O )
( 10 )
=0.0863

[√ ]
y2
2 q q 2
d∫
C d= − dy= =( 0.0089+0.0092+ …+0.0083 )=1.94
y 1
q ∞ q∞ 1.1905 ( cm )
( 11)

10
 Table 6: Trapezoidal Rule to Find C d Using Wake Survey Measurements
y (cm) q (in H2O) f(y) A
12.676 1.275 0.0862739 0.0088989
12.776 1.256 0.0917034 0.0091988
12.876 1.254 0.0922719 0.0095099
12.976 1.234 0.0979258 0.0101002
13.076 1.212 0.1040776 0.0108076
13.176 1.183 0.1120753 0.0112485
13.276 1.18 0.1128953 0.0116822
13.376 1.151 0.1207483 0.0122486
13.476 1.138 0.1242246 0.0126871
13.576 1.118 0.1295182 0.0109185
13.676 1.266 0.0888521 0.0103169
13.766 1.076 0.1404119 0.0019261
13.78 1.098 0.134744 0.013318
13.88 1.11 0.1316168 0.0142291
13.98 1.026 0.1529661 0.0154925
14.08 1.01 0.1568833 0.0160487
14.18 0.98 0.1640909 0.0167602
14.28 0.95 0.1711127 0.0176745
14.38 0.9 0.1823782 0.0184658
14.48 0.879 0.1869375 0.0190822
14.58 0.842 0.1947074 0.0199864
14.68 0.79 0.2050214 0.0210403
14.78 0.731 0.2157841 0.021991
14.88 0.681 0.2240357 0.0227715
14.98 0.631 0.2313947 0.0235691
15.08 0.561 0.2399872 0.0243894
15.18 0.466 0.2478002 0.0247255
15.28 0.484 0.2467094 0.0248348
15.38 0.384 0.2499874 0.024954
15.48 0.344 0.2490933 0.0245289
15.58 0.259 0.2414851 0.0217778
15.67 0.266 0.2424652 0.0034099
15.684 0.284 0.2446635 0.0234516
15.784 0.18 0.2243683 0.0234782
15.884 0.289 0.2451962 0.0225308
15.984 0.13 0.2054201 0.0220513
16.084 0.225 0.235605 0.0232761
16.184 0.2 0.2299175 0.0231132
16.284 0.21 0.2323469 0.0240237
16.384 0.325 0.2481276 0.0248742
16.484 0.351 0.2493572 0.0249672
16.584 0.395 0.2499876 0.0248414
16.684 0.482 0.2468403 0.0243886
16.784 0.552 0.240931 0.0240828

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 16.884 0.554 0.2407246 0.0234572
16.984 0.652 0.2284191 0.0223635
17.084 0.713 0.2188515 0.0218176
17.184 0.721 0.2175013 0.0212398
17.284 0.778 0.2072946 0.0198712
17.384 0.864 0.1901288 0.018515
17.484 0.91 0.1801705 0.0159317
17.574 0.938 0.1738674 0.0024325
17.588 0.939 0.1736391 0.0170398
17.688 0.967 0.167157 0.0165387
17.788 0.982 0.1636161 0.0160735
17.888 1.006 0.1578547 0.015142
17.988 1.058 0.1449848 0.0142186
18.088 1.08 0.1393878 0.0139388
18.188 1.08 0.1393878 0.0135764
18.288 1.108 0.1321397 0.0130038
18.388 1.124 0.1279372 0.012648
18.488 1.135 0.1250229 0.0119096
18.588 1.179 0.1131683 0.0111937
18.688 1.188 0.1107056 0.0107253
18.788 1.213 0.1037995 0.0102265
18.888 1.224 0.1007309 0.0097636
18.988 1.246 0.0945404 0.0093974
19.088 1.25 0.0934073 0.0091558
19.188 1.263 0.089709 0.0086985
19.288 1.282 0.0842609 0.0083251
19.388 1.289 0.0822411 0.7972451

9) Compare the two drag coefficient values calculated in Questions (6) and (8) to the experimental
value shown in Figure 5 (estimate as best you can). Discuss the possible sources of error.

The drag coefficient values calculated in Questions (6) and (8) are shown in Table 7, along with
their percent error, calculated using Equation 12. Figure 4 gives an estimate of the theoretical drag
coefficient, which is 1.2. As shown, the calculation for C d in Question (6) led to a much smaller
error than the calculation for C d in Question (8). There are various sources of error, but the most
likely are inaccurate rotations of the cylinder by failing to rotate it exactly 15 degrees each time or
inaccuracies when reading the DAQ, which can arise if adequate time is not given for it to
approach a definitive value.

% error= |experimental−theoretical
theoretical |× 100=|
1.1081−1.2
1.2 |×100=7.6 6 %
( 12 )

12
 Table 7: Percent Error Comparison
Experimental Theoretical % Error
C d: Q(6) 1.108 1.2 7.666667
C d: Q(8) 1.94 1.2 61.66667

Figure 4: Measured Drag Coefficients for a Circular Cylinder

13
 2. REFERENCES
1. “MAE 331 Lab 1: Introduction to Wind Tunnel Testing and Calibration,” Lab Manual, MAE Dept.,
The University of Alabama in Huntsville, 2020.

14
 3. APPENDIX

Appendix A: Wake Survey

Rake 0 Rake 1 Rake 2 Rake 3

DAQ Output y y (cm) q (in H2O) y (cm) q (in H2O) y (cm) q (in H2O) y (cm) q (in H2O)
Position (cm)
13.99 6.15 1.558 8.054 1.32 9.958 1.318 11.862 1.31
13.9 6.06 1.538 7.964 1.443 9.868 1.441 11.772 1.448
13.8 5.96 1.472 7.864 1.322 9.768 1.319 11.672 1.314
13.7 5.86 1.34 7.764 1.326 9.668 1.318 11.572 1.316
13.6 5.76 1.326 7.664 1.323 9.568 1.318 11.472 1.317
13.5 5.66 1.313 7.564 1.326 9.468 1.322 11.372 1.314
13.4 5.56 1.324 7.464 1.325 9.368 1.318 11.272 1.317
13.3 5.46 1.306 7.364 1.324 9.268 1.318 11.172 1.318
13.2 5.36 1.283 7.264 1.326 9.168 1.319 11.072 1.318
13.1 5.26 1.308 7.164 1.326 9.068 1.32 10.972 1.321
13 5.16 1.33 7.064 1.327 8.968 1.324 10.872 1.319
12.9 5.06 1.304 6.964 1.327 8.868 1.321 10.772 1.322
12.8 4.96 1.289 6.864 1.325 8.768 1.322 10.672 1.319
12.7 4.86 1.306 6.764 1.329 8.668 1.322 10.572 1.319
12.6 4.76 1.26 6.664 1.328 8.568 1.323 10.472 1.32
12.5 4.66 1.28 6.564 1.328 8.468 1.323 10.372 1.32
12.4 4.56 1.281 6.464 1.324 8.368 1.325 10.272 1.324
12.3 4.46 1.96 6.364 1.963 8.268 1.322 10.172 1.324
12.2 4.36 1.546 6.264 1.332 8.168 1.324 10.072 1.319
12.1 4.26 1.394 6.164 1.384 8.068 1.324 9.972 1.321

15
 Rake 4 Rake 5 Rake 6 Rake 7
y (cm) q (in H2O) y (cm) q (in H2O) y (cm) q (in H2O) y (cm) q (in H2O)
13.766 1.076 15.67 0.266 17.574 0.938 19.478 1.296
13.676 1.266 15.58 0.259 17.484 0.91 19.388 1.289
13.576 1.118 15.48 0.344 17.384 0.864 19.288 1.282
13.476 1.138 15.38 0.384 17.284 0.778 19.188 1.263
13.376 1.151 15.28 0.484 17.184 0.721 19.088 1.25
13.276 1.18 15.18 0.466 17.084 0.713 18.988 1.246
13.176 1.183 15.08 0.561 16.984 0.652 18.888 1.224
13.076 1.212 14.98 0.631 16.884 0.554 18.788 1.213
12.976 1.234 14.88 0.681 16.784 0.552 18.688 1.188
12.876 1.254 14.78 0.731 16.684 0.482 18.588 1.179
12.776 1.256 14.68 0.79 16.584 0.395 18.488 1.135
12.676 1.275 14.58 0.842 16.484 0.351 18.388 1.124
12.576 1.295 14.48 0.879 16.384 0.325 18.288 1.108
12.476 1.3 14.38 0.9 16.284 0.21 18.188 1.08
12.376 1.3 14.28 0.95 16.184 0.2 18.088 1.08
12.276 1.306 14.18 0.98 16.084 0.225 17.988 1.058
12.176 1.31 14.08 1.01 15.984 0.13 17.888 1.006
12.076 1.306 13.98 1.026 15.884 0.289 17.788 0.982
11.976 1.307 13.88 1.11 15.784 0.18 17.688 0.967
11.876 1.313 13.78 1.098 15.684 0.284 17.588 0.939

Rake 8 Rake 9
y (cm) q (in H2O) y (cm) q (in H2O)
21.38 23.28
2 1.335 6 1.332
21.29 23.19
2 1.313 6 1.304
21.19 23.09
2 1.314 6 1.311
21.09 22.99
2 1.31 6 1.31
20.99 22.89
2 1.316 6 1.312
20.89 22.79
2 1.309 6 1.312
20.79 22.69
2 1.314 6 1.292
20.69 22.59
2 1.131 6 1.314
20.59 22.49
2 1.312 6 1.313
20.49 22.39
2 1.311 6 1.312
20.39 22.29
2 1.309 6 1.311

16
20.29 22.19
2 1.308 6 1.312
20.19 22.09
2 1.31 6 1.311
20.09 21.99
2 1.308 6 1.317
19.99 21.89
2 1.311 6 1.315
19.89 21.79
2 1.31 6 1.313
19.79 21.69
2 1.303 6 1.311
19.69 21.59
2 1.296 6 1.308
19.59 21.49
2 1.304 6 1.309
19.49 21.39
2 1.294 6 1.31

17