FUNDAMENTALS OF

AERODYNAMICS
(AENG 321-7B)
Part 3
Pressure Variation with Altitude based from
Tropopause (11 km = 36,080 ft) up to
Stratopopause (32 km = 104,960 ft)
Pressure Variation with Altitude . . . (cont)
For English System
From: dP = - ρgdh
From perfect gas law: 1
ln P – ln Pref = - (h – href)
P = ρgRT RT
P P h href
ρ= ln =- +
gRT Pref RT RT
P
dP = - gdh
gRT P h
ln − RT + href
Pdh 𝑒 Pref =𝑒 RT
dP = -
RT
1 href −h
dP = - * dh P
RT = 𝑒 RT *𝑒 RT
Pref
Integrating both sides of the
equation: href
P dP 1 h P 𝑒 RT
Pref
= - href
dh = h . . . . . . . . . . . Equation 1
P RT Pref
𝑒 RT
1
ln P P – Pref = - RT [h]h - href
Pressure Variation with Altitude . . . (cont)
For Pref: Substitute to equation 1
Pref ahref 5.26
= (1 + ) 36,080
P0 T0 P 𝑒 (53.342)(390.15)
R
=
Pref (−0.003566 ° )(36,080 ft) 0.223P0 ℎ
= [1 + ft
)5.26 (53.342)(390.15)
P0 519°R
𝑒

Pref 36,080
= 0.223 (53.342)(390.15)
P0 P 𝑒
= (0.223)[ ]
P0 ℎ
Pref = 0.223 P0 𝑒 (53.342)(390.15)
Pressure Variation with Altitude . . . (cont)
Formula:
𝐏 𝟏.𝟐𝟔
δ= = −
𝟓 (in English System)
𝐏𝟎 𝒆𝟒.𝟖𝟎𝟓 𝒙 𝟏𝟎 𝒉
Where:
P = Pressure at any altitude above tropopause (36,080 ft.) up to
stratopause (104,960 ft.) in lb/ft2
P0 = 2116.8 lb/ft2
h = Any altitude above above tropopause (36,080 ft.) up to
stratopause (104,960 ft.) in ft.
Example #1
Find the pressure at 40,000 feet altitude in standard
atmosphere.
Given: Required:
h = 40,000 ft. Pressure (P)
@ STD Atmosphere
Solution:
𝐏 𝟏.𝟐𝟔
= 𝟒.𝟖𝟎𝟓 𝒙 𝟏𝟎 −
𝒍𝒃
𝟏.𝟐𝟔(𝟐𝟏𝟏𝟔.𝟖𝟎 𝟐)
𝟓
𝐏𝟎 𝒆 𝒉
𝒇𝒕
P= 𝟒.𝟖𝟎𝟓 𝒙 𝟏𝟎
−
𝟓
(40,000 ft)
P=
𝟏.𝟐𝟔𝐏𝟎 −
𝟒.𝟖𝟎𝟓 𝒙 𝟏𝟎 𝟓
𝒉
𝒆
𝒆

Answer:
P = 390.24 lb/ft2
Example #2
Find the altitude in which the pressure is 250 lb./ft2
in std atmosphere.
Given: Required:
P = 250 lb./ft2 altitude (h)
@ STD Atmosphere
Solution:
Pref
= 0.223
P0

Pref = 0.223 P0
Pref = 0.223 ( 2116.8 lb./ft2)
Pref = 472.05 lb./ft2

∴ 𝑖𝑓 P > Pref, then it is below tropopause.

∴ 𝑖𝑓 P < Pref, then it is above tropopause.
Since P < Pref, we use the formula.
Example #2 (cont.…)
Solution (cont.…)
𝐏 𝟏.𝟐𝟔
= 𝟒.𝟖𝟎𝟓 𝒙 𝟏𝟎 𝒉−
𝟓
𝐏𝟎 𝒆

1.26
e4.805 x 10−5h = 𝐏
𝐏𝟎
1.26
𝐏
ln e4.805 x 10−5h = ln 𝐏𝟎

1.26
1 𝐏 1
* {4.805 x 10 − 5h = ln 𝐏𝟎 }*
4.805 x 10−5h 4.805 x 10−5h

𝟏.𝟐𝟔
𝐥𝐧 𝐏
𝐏𝟎
h= −
𝟓
𝟒.𝟖𝟎𝟓 𝐱 𝟏𝟎
Example #2 (cont.…)
Solution (cont.…)
1.26
ln 250 𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡2
2116.8 𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡2
h= −
5
4.805 𝑥 10

Answer:
𝟏𝐦
P = 49,267.67 ft x ( ) = 15,020.63 metres
𝟑.𝟐𝟖 𝐟𝐭.
Pressure Variation with Altitude . . . (cont)
For Metric System
g
From: dP = - ρgdh ln P – ln Pref = - (h – href)
RT
From perfect gas law:
P = ρRT ln
P
=-
gh
+
ghref
P Pref RT RT
ρ=
RT P 𝑔h
P ln − RT + gref
dP = - gdh 𝑒 Pref =𝑒 RT
RT
dP g
=- dh P ghref −𝑔h
P RT = 𝑒 RT *𝑒 RT
Integrating both sides of the Pref
equation: ghref
P dP g h P 𝑒 RT
Pref
=- href
dh = . . . . . . . . . . . Equation 1
P RT Pref 𝑔h
𝑒 RT
g
ln P P – Pref = - RT [h]h - href
Pressure Variation with Altitude . . . (cont)
For Pref: Substitute to equation 1
Pref ahref 5.26
= (1 + ) (9.8066)(11,000)
P0 T0 287.08 216.5)
P 𝑒
K =
Pref (−0.00651 ° )(11,000 𝑚) 0.222P0 9.8066ℎ
ft 5.26 (287.08)(216.5)
= [1 + ) 𝑒
P0 288°R

Pref (9.8066)(11,000)
= 0.222 (287.08)(216.5)
P0 P 𝑒
= (0.222)[ ]
P0 9.8066ℎ
Pref = 0.222 P0 𝑒 (287.08)(216.5)
Pressure Variation with Altitude . . . (cont)
Formula:
𝐏 𝟏.𝟐𝟔
δ= = −
𝟒 (in Metric System)
𝐏𝟎 𝒆𝟏.𝟓𝟕𝟖 𝒙 𝟏𝟎 𝒉
Where:
P = Pressure at any altitude above tropopause (11 km.) up to
stratopause (32 km.) in N/m2
P0 = 101,325 N/m2 or Pa
h = Any altitude above above tropopause (11 km.) up to stratopause
(32 km.) in km or meters.
Example #1
Find the pressure at 13 km altitude in standard
atmosphere.
Given: Required:
h = 13 km. = 13,000 m. Pressure (P)
@ STD Atmosphere
Solution:
𝐏 𝟏.𝟐𝟔
= 𝟏.𝟓𝟕𝟖 𝒙 𝟏𝟎 −
𝐍
𝟏.𝟐𝟔(𝟏𝟎𝟏,𝟑𝟐𝟓 𝟐)
𝟒
𝐏𝟎 𝒆 𝒉

P= −
𝟒
𝐦

P=
𝟏.𝟐𝟔𝐏𝟎 −
𝟒
𝒆𝟏.𝟓𝟕𝟖 𝒙 𝟏𝟎 (13,000 m)
𝒆𝟏..𝟓𝟕𝟖 𝒙 𝟏𝟎 𝒉

Answer:
P = 16,412.53 N/m2 or Pascal (Pa)
Example #2
Find the altitude where the pressure ratio is 0.197 in
std atmosphere.
Given: Required:
P
𝛿= = 0.197 altitude (h)
P0
@ STD Atmosphere
Solution:
∴ 𝑖𝑓 𝛿 > 0.222, then it is below tropopause.
∴ 𝑖𝑓 𝛿 < 0.222, then it is above tropopause.
Since 𝛿 < 0.222, we use the formula.
𝐏 𝟏.𝟐𝟔
= 𝟏.𝟓𝟕𝟖 𝒙 𝟏𝟎 𝟒𝒉 −

𝐏𝟎 𝒆

1.26
e4.805 x 10−4h =
𝛅
1.26
ln e4.805 x 10−4h = ln 𝛿
Example #2 (cont.…)
Solution (cont.…)
1 1.26 1
* [1.578 x 10 − 4h = ln ]*
1.578 x 10−4h 𝛿 1.578 x 10−4h

𝟏.𝟐𝟔
𝐥𝐧
𝜹
h= −
𝟒
𝟏.𝟓𝟕𝟖 𝐱 𝟏𝟎

1.26
ln 0.197
h= −
1.578 𝑥 10 4

Answer:
𝟑.𝟐𝟖 𝐟𝐭.
P = 11,759.59 m x ( ) = 38,571.46 ft.
𝟏𝐦
Density Variation with Altitude based from
Tropopause (11 km = 36,080 ft) up to
Stratopopause (32 km = 104,960 ft)
For English System
P ρgRT From:
=
Pref ρrefgRTref href
P 𝑒 RT
But; = h
Pref
T = Tref 𝑒 RT
href
Therefore; ρ 𝑒 RT
P ρ = h . . . . . . . . Equation 1
= ρref
Pref ρref 𝑒 RT
Density Variation with Altitude . . . (cont)
For 𝜌ref: Substitute to equation 1
𝜌ref ahref 4.26
= (1 + ) 11,000
𝜌0 T0 𝜌 𝑒 (287.08)(216.5)
=
𝜌ref
K
(−0.00651 °m)(11,000 m)
4.26
0.296𝜌0 ℎ
(287.08)(216.5)
= [1 + ) 𝑒
𝜌0 519°𝐾

𝜌ref 11,000
𝜌0
= 0.296 𝜌 𝑒 (287.08)(216.5)
= (0.296)[ ℎ
]
𝜌0 (287.08)(216.5)
𝜌ref = 0.296 𝜌0 𝑒
Density Variation with Altitude . . . (cont)
Formula:
ρ 𝟏.𝟔𝟖
σ= ρ = −
𝟓
𝒆𝟒.𝟖𝟎𝟓 𝒙 𝟏𝟎 𝒉
(in English System)
𝟎
Where:
ρ = Pressure at any altitude above tropopause (36,080 ft.) up to
stratopause (104,960 ft.) in lb/ft2
ρ 0 = 0.002377 slug/ft3
h = Any altitude above above tropopause (36,080 ft.) up to
stratopause (104,960 ft.) in ft.
Density Variation with Altitude . . . (cont)
For Metric System
P ρRT From:
=
Pref ρrefRTref ghref
P 𝑒 RT
But; = 𝑔h
Pref
T = Tref 𝑒 RT
ghref
Therefore; ρ 𝑒 RT
P ρ = 𝑔h . . . . . . Equation 1
= ρref
RT
Pref ρref 𝑒
Density Variation with Altitude . . . (cont)
For 𝜌ref: Substitute to equation 1
𝜌ref ahref 4.26
= (1 + ) 36,080
𝜌0 T0 𝜌 𝑒 (53.342)(390.15)
=
𝜌ref
R
(−0.003566 °ft)(36,080 ft)
4.26
0.297𝜌0 ℎ
(53.342)(390.15)
= [1 + ) 𝑒
𝜌0 519°R

𝜌ref 36,080
𝜌0
= 0.297 𝜌 𝑒 (53.342)(390.15)
= (0.297)[ ℎ
]
𝜌0 (53.342)(390.15)
𝜌ref = 0.297 𝜌0 𝑒
Density Variation with Altitude . . . (cont)
Formula:
ρ 𝟏.𝟔𝟖
σ= ρ =
𝒆𝟏.𝟓𝟕𝟖 𝒙 𝟏𝟎 𝒉
−
𝟒 (in Metric System)
𝟎

Where:
ρ = Pressure at any altitude above tropopause (11 km.) up to
stratopause (32 km.) in N/m2
ρ0 = 1.225 kg/m3
h = Any altitude above above tropopause (11 km.) up to stratopause
(32 km.) in km or meters.
Example #1
Find the density at 42,000 ft altitude in standard
atmosphere.
Given:
h = 42,000 ft.
@ STD Atmosphere
Solution:
ρ 𝟏.𝟔𝟖
= 𝟒.𝟖𝟎𝟓 𝒙 𝟏𝟎 −
𝟓 𝒔𝒍𝒖𝒈
ρ𝟎 𝒆 𝒉
𝟏.𝟔𝟖(𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟑𝟕𝟕 𝟑 )
𝐟𝐭
ρ= −
𝟓

ρ=
𝟏.𝟔𝟖ρ𝟎 −
𝟓
𝒆𝟒.𝟖𝟎𝟓 𝒙 𝟏𝟎 (42,000 ft)
𝒆𝟒.𝟖𝟎𝟓 𝒙 𝟏𝟎 𝒉

Answer:
𝟏.𝟐𝟐𝟓 𝐤𝐠 /𝐦𝟑
ρ = 0.0005307 slug/ft3 x ( ) = 0.274 kg/m3
𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟑𝟕𝟕 𝐬𝐥𝐮𝐠/𝐟𝐭𝟑
Example #2
Find the altitude where the density is 0.197 kg/m3 in
std atmosphere.
Given: Required:
ρ = 0.197 kg/m3 altitude (h)
@ STD Atmosphere
Solution:
ρref
= 0.296
ρ0

ρref = 0.296ρ0
ρref = 0.296 ( 1.225 kg./m3)
ρref = 0.3626 kg./m3
Example #2 (cont.…)
Solution (cont.…)
ρ 𝟏.𝟔𝟖
= 𝟏.𝟓𝟕𝟖 𝒙 𝟏𝟎 𝒉
−
𝟒
ρ𝟎 𝒆

1.68
e1.578 x 10−4h = ρ
ρ𝟎
1.68
ρ
lne1.578 x 10−4h = ln ρ𝟎

1.68
ρ
1 1
* {1.578 x 10 − 4h = ln ρ𝟎 }*
1.578 x 10−4h 1.578 x 10−4h

𝟏.𝟔𝟖
𝐥𝐧 ρ
ρ𝟎
h= −
𝟒
𝟏.𝟓𝟕𝟖 𝐱 𝟏𝟎
Example #2 (cont.…)
Solution (cont.…)
1.68
ln 0.197 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3
1.225 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3
h= −
4
1.578 𝑥 10

Answer:
𝟑.𝟐𝟖 𝐟𝐭
h= 14,868.73 metres x ( ) = 48,769.43 feet
𝟏 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬
 Relation between Pressure, Density, and
Temperature Variation with Altitude based from
Tropopause (11km = 36,080 ft) up to Stratopause
(32 km = 104,960 ft)
Pressure Variation
Metric System English System

𝐏 𝟏.𝟐𝟔 𝐏 𝟏.𝟐𝟔
δ= = −
𝟒 δ= = −
𝟓
𝐏𝟎 𝒆𝟏.𝟓𝟕𝟖 𝒙 𝟏𝟎 𝒉 𝐏𝟎 𝒆𝟒.𝟖𝟎𝟓 𝒙 𝟏𝟎 𝒉

Density Variation
Metric System English System
ρ 𝟏.𝟔𝟖 ρ 𝟏.𝟔𝟖
σ= ρ = −
𝟒
𝒆𝟏.𝟓𝟕𝟖 𝒙 𝟏𝟎 𝒉
σ= ρ = −

𝒆𝟒.𝟖𝟎𝟓 𝒙 𝟏𝟎 𝒉
𝟓
𝟎 𝟎

Temperature Variation = Constant (216.5°K or 390.15°R)