Scribd
Upload
8 views4 pages

Fluid Mechanics Lesson 14C NA

This document discusses aerodynamic drag on spheres and cylinders, focusing on how the drag coefficient varies with Reynolds number and the application of the Morrison Equation for sphere drag. It also introduces the concept of the Drag Crisis and how surface roughness, such as dimples on golf balls, can reduce drag. Example problems are provided to illustrate the calculations involved in determining drag coefficients.

Uploaded by

austinke82
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
8 views4 pages

Fluid Mechanics Lesson 14C NA

This document discusses aerodynamic drag on spheres and cylinders, focusing on how the drag coefficient varies with Reynolds number and the application of the Morrison Equation for sphere drag. It also introduces the concept of the Drag Crisis and how surface roughness, such as dimples on golf balls, can reduce drag. Example problems are provided to illustrate the calculations involved in determining drag coefficients.

Uploaded by

austinke82
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

AERODYNAMIC DRAG ON CYLINDERS AND SPHERES

In this lesson, we will:


• Discuss how Drag Coefficient of Spheres and Cylinders varies with Reynolds number
• Show how to apply the Morrison Equation for sphere drag
• Define the Drag Crisis and how Rough Walls can sometimes lower drag (e.g., golf balls)
• Do some example problems
Aerodynamic Drag on Smooth Spheres
Experimental data show a huge range of CD values for a sphere, depending on Reynolds
number. This classic plot was first produced by Hermann Schlichting, Boundary Layer
Theory, 1954.

From https://ebrary.net based on Schlichting.


From Çengel and Cimbala, Ed. 4.

In a 2016 paper, Faith A. Morrison created a curve fit equation for CD of a sphere that spans
the entire range of Reynolds number up to 106. Here is the Morrison Equation:
−7.94
 Re   Re   Re 
2.6   0.411 5 
0.25  6 
24  5.0  +  2.63 × 10   10  for Re < 106
CD ≈ + +
Re  Re 
1.52
 Re 
−8.00
 Re 
1+   1+  1+  6 
5 
 5.0   2.63 × 10   10 

Example: Drag coefficient on a sphere


Given: A 1.55 mm sphere is moving in air at a speed of 1.25 m/s. The air properties are:
• ρ = 1.246 kg/m3
• ν = 1.426×10-5 m2/s
To do: Calculate the Reynolds number and the drag coefficient for this sphere.
Solution:
−7.94
 Re   Re   Re 
VD p 2.6   0.411 5 
0.25  6 
Re = 24  5.0  +  2.63 × 10   10  for Re < 106
CD ≈ + +
ν Re  Re 
1.52
 Re 
−8.00
 Re 
1+   1+  1+  6 
5 
 5.0   2.63 × 10   10 
Aerodynamic Drag on Smooth Cylinders
Circular cylinder CD values also vary with Reynolds number, similarly to those of a sphere.
Data are again based on Hermann Schlichting, Boundary Layer Theory, 1954.

Laminar Turbulent

Figures from Çengel and Cimbala, Ed. 4.


The Drag Crisis and the Effect of Roughness on Spheres and Cylinders
Why do Golf Balls Have Dimples?

You might also like