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Drag Tutorial

1) Sedimentation occurs when particles fall or rise in a fluid due to differences in density. The drag force counteracts gravity and buoyancy to reach equilibrium. 2) The drag coefficient depends only on the Reynolds number. For low Reynolds numbers, the drag coefficient can be calculated using Stokes' law. 3) A tennis ball falling in air would reach a terminal velocity due to drag forces balancing its weight. Its maximum speed can be estimated using different drag coefficient models depending on the Reynolds number.

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Cəvahir Ağazadə
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42 views

Drag Tutorial

1) Sedimentation occurs when particles fall or rise in a fluid due to differences in density. The drag force counteracts gravity and buoyancy to reach equilibrium. 2) The drag coefficient depends only on the Reynolds number. For low Reynolds numbers, the drag coefficient can be calculated using Stokes' law. 3) A tennis ball falling in air would reach a terminal velocity due to drag forces balancing its weight. Its maximum speed can be estimated using different drag coefficient models depending on the Reynolds number.

Uploaded by

Cəvahir Ağazadə
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TD 2 : Drag

Sedimentation

For particles of mass m, of density ρP, of volume V falling or rising at a constant speed U in a fluid at
rest of density ρF, the drag force induced by the static pressure distribution and the viscous forces
counterbalance the effect of the force of gravity (the weight mg) and the buoyancy of Archimedes.

1
C ρ U 2 S=( ρ P−ρ F ) gV
2 D F

For a sphere of diameter D : S= π.D2/4 and V = πD3/6


A dimensionless number is then defined : Re = U.D/ν , where ν is the kinematic viscosity of the fluid.
Dimensional analysis reveals that the drag coefficient CD depends only on the Reynolds number Re.

At equilibrium, in a fluid at rest ur =u p , uf =0

du p ρ 3 ρf C D 2
dt ( )
= 1− f g−
ρp 4 ρp D r
u =0

And the terminal velocity U of the particle is given by the implicit expression :

U=
√ 4 D ρp
g
( )
3 C D ρf
−1

Stokes approach

For low particulate Reynolds numbers Re  Du r  f /   1


24
CD  and the drag force is F 3Du r , called viscous drag due to the laminar boundary layer
Re
and the pressure distribution around the sphere :

gD2
U= ( ρ −ρ )
18 μ p f

Exercise 1 : Drag of a tennis ball - limit fall speed

Considering the characteristics of a table tennis ball (Diameter D D 3.8 10 2 m) (weight :
P 2.45 10 2 N ) , and assuming a smooth surface, quantify the ultimate rate of fall of the
ball in the Earth's atmosphere under standard conditions (density of the air ρf = 1,2 kg/m3,
dynamic viscosity μ = 1,7 10-5 kg/ms). Calculate the drag force at the limit drop speed.

We can first reason in the Stokes case (Re < 1), then consider the range of high Re numbers
where the drag coefficient Cd is of the order of 0.4 to 0.5.
Landmarks :
- Curve of evolution of the drag coefficient according to Reynolds number
- Empirical laws:

gD 2 24
a) Stokes exact formula for Re < 1 : U  (  p   f ) , CD  , F 3UD
18 Re
24
a) Formula of Schiller-Nauman (for Re < 800) : C D  (1  0.15 Re 0.687 )
Re
24 6
b) Formula of White (for Re < 200000) : C D    0.4
Re 1  Re
and the terminal velocity U of a particle is given by the implicit expression (where CD
depends on the Reynolds number, D sphere diameter, ρf and ρP are the densities of the fluid
and the spherical particle, μ the dynamic viscosity fluid)

U=
√ 4 D ρp
g
( )
3 C D ρf
−1

Evolution of the drag coefficient of a smooth-surfaced sphere or cylinder per unit length as a
function of Reynolds number (logarithmic scales) (Munson, Young & Okiishi, page 582, 4th
edition)

Exercise 2 : Lift for a horizontal trajectory

The table tennis ball is hit with a speed of U 12m / s . It is desired to provide a rotational
speed  in backspin (shop or cut ball) so that the ball moves horizontally on a first part of its
trajectory. In this case, the lift force must be opposed to the weight. We will take for the
3
density of the air  fluide 1.23 kg / m .
Questions :
1) Calculate the rotation velocity 
2) Calculate the initial horizontal drag of the rotating ball

The lift force is given by :

1 1 
FL   fluideCLU 2 S   fluideCLU 2 D 2
2 2 4

Tracks :

The lift coefficient is first calculated, then the figures are used to derive an approximate value
of the rotational angular velocity  . We can then deduce the number of revolutions per
minute of the rotation of the ball.
Exercise 3 : Trail of a cork sphere in a river
Source : Munson et al. Page 615

A cork sphere of 2 inches (inches) in diameter is attached to the bottom of a river by a thin cable.
Knowing that the drag coefficient of the sphere is 0.5 and neglecting the mass and drag of the cable,
determine the speed of flow of the river. The specific weight (ρg) of cork is 13 lb/ft 3 (Recall: 1 lb =
4.448 N, 1 foot = 0.3048 m, 1 inch = 2.54 cm).
The equilibrium of horizontal and vertical forces (weight, buoyancy, drag force and cable tension) will
be written.

Exercise 4 : Fall of a hailstone

Hailstone is generated by repeated vertical back-and-forth of ice particles magnifying in storm clouds.
When the hailstone have reached a sufficient size, the aerodynamic force occasionally ascending is no
longer able to counteract the weight of the hailstones, and they leave the cloud to fall to the ground.
Estimate the limit drop speed U of the horns assuming that their size (diameter D) is 1.5 inches (1 inch
= 2.54 cm), which is the size of a golf ball, which can happen.
First, write the equation of limit fall equilibrium.
We will then neglect the force of Archimedes (to justify). Assuming that the drag coefficient is of the
order of 0.5, calculate the fall velocity U, and the Reynolds number to justify the chosen 0.5 value.
The density of ice is 948.3 kg/m 3 and that of air is 1.2266 kg/m 3. The kinematic viscosity of the air is
15.10-6 m2s-1.

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