EXPERIMENT NO – P1

DRAG ON A CIRCULAR CYLINDER

ME 2010- FLUID DYNAMICS
Semester 3

THERMODYNAMICS LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGIEERING
UNIVERSITY OF MORATUWA

INSTRUCTED BY:
MR.
PARTNERS
 ABSTRACT

Drag is the heart of aerodynamic design. The accurate assessment of drag results in economic
design of automobiles, chimneys, towers, buildings, hydraulic structures etc.
The drag coefficients and drag forces are calculated using tow methods,
1. Analysis of the rate change of momentum of the fluid.
2. Analysis of the pressure disttribution around the cylindrical body,
at two different flow conditions.
The report is contains brief discussion on the variations of drag coefficients with the method
of study and the variation of drag coefficients with the reynolds number.

i
 TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Introduction

2. Theory

3. Materials and Methods

4. Observations

5. Calculations and Results

6. Discussion

7. References

ii
 1.INTRODUCTION

In this practical, various flow patterns are observed around a cylinder when it is placed in
air stream. Values of total drag force, Reynolds number and drag coefficient are measured using
rate of change of momentum method and pressure distribution method for two cases. Then drag
coefficient vs Reynolds number graph plotted. Using these values and graphs we can get the idea
about flow patterns acting on this circular cylinder.

Flow patterns are very important aspects in fluid dynamics. In such applications which
are bridges,dams,ships,aircrafts and buildings, analysis of forces acting on bodies and their
characteristics are required to obtain efficient aerodynamic and hydrodynamic applications. Flow
around a circular cylinder is very important as the fundamental mechanism which is dealing
with various applications such as Offshore structures, heat exchangers tube arrays, chimneys,
and electrical conductors.

At very small velocities (low Reynolds number) the flow is attached. At higher velocities
(high Reynolds number ) the flow separates from the cylinder surface to form a wake behind the
body. At very high Reynolds numbers the wake consists of two regimes. They are near wake and
far wake. So patterns of flow around a circular cylinder vary at different Reynolds numbers.

Patterns of flow around a circular cylinder

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 2.THEORY

When a circular cylinder is placed in a fluid stream or flow, the resultant flow pattern around the
cylinder will vary due to many parameters. The flow pattern depends on the flow velocity,
cylinder diameter and the fluid type. Some of instances related to this phenomenon are shown in

the diagram below.

The Reynolds number is a numerical representation which used to identify the turbulence of a
fluid flow. The non-dimensional parameter ‘Re’ is formed by a combination of the above
mentioned parameters. Where,
𝜌𝐷𝑉
𝑅𝑒 =
𝜇
D = cylinder diameter
𝜌 = density of the fluid
V = upstream velocity
𝜇 = dynamic viscosity of the fluid
Fluid dynamic forces acting on a body can be categorized to two components. Forces acting
normal to the body and tangential forces. These forces are exerted due to the pressure acting
normal to the body and frictional forces due to the fluid viscosity. At higher values of the
Reynolds number, the effect of viscous forces become negligible whereas the pressure forces
become considerable.
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The component of fluid dynamic force acting in the direction of relative fluid flow is known as
the drag force (or drag D). The other component acting perpendicular to the drag is known as lift
force (or lift L).

As the object used in the experiment is a symmetrical object the net lift acting on it due to fluid
flow will be zero. Hence, only the drag force is needed to be considered. The total drag force is
defined by,
1
𝐷= 𝐶 . 𝜌. 𝑈𝑜2 𝐴
2 𝐷

CD= Drag coefficient

𝜌= Fluid density
U0 = Fluid velocity
A = Projected area
Using two methods in next page, drag force of a body in a fluid flow can be found.

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 3.MATERIALS AND METHODS

APPARATUS AND TOOLS

 Wind tunnel Apparatus
 Manometer
 Meter ruler
 Anemometer

Method 1:

There is a pressure variation around the solid body, when a stream of air is passing
through it. It causes for induce a forces around the body. The lift force means vertical
component of the induced force and the drag force means horizontal component of it. If
the solid body is symmetrical like cylinder, lift force is zero. When the barrier is a
cylinder, the lift force is zero. The pressure Drag is given by,

𝐷𝑝 = ∮ 𝑃𝑠 cos 𝜃 𝑑𝑠

Ps
θ
ds
U0

Pressure acting on the cylinder

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 Method 2:

The opposite equal reaction of the drag force on air causes to change the momentum
of the air flow. Therefore, using the rate of change of momentum the drag force can be
calculated. By considering a control volume as below,

𝐷 (𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑) 𝐷 (𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑑𝑦)

𝐻
𝐻 𝑉𝑖 , 𝑃𝑖 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚
𝑈0 , 𝑃0 𝑛

Figure 2.4: velocity variation before and after the cylinder

𝐷 − 𝑃0 𝐴0 = ∫ 𝑚̇𝑈0 − ∫ 𝑚̇𝑖 𝑉𝑖
𝑛
𝐻
𝐷 = 𝑃0 𝐴0 + 𝜌 [∫ 𝑈02 𝑑𝐴0 − ∫ 𝑉𝑖2 𝑑𝐴𝑖 ] = 𝑃0 𝐻 + 𝜌 [𝐻𝑈02 − ∑ 𝑉𝑖2 ] , 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
𝑛
𝑖=1

Outlet pressure is considered to be zero. P0 can be calculated by applying Bernoulli’s

equation to a suitable stream line.
CD can be calculated by following equation,
2𝐷
𝐶𝐷 =
𝜌𝑈02 𝐴

PROCEDURE
 The cylinder was set inside the Wind tunnel and the free end of the rubber tube is attached
to the manometer.
 Start the wind tunnel machine and sufficient air flow was created.
 Measure the upstream pressure.
 Measure the inclined angle of the manometer apparatus.
 Measure the manometer readings when the cylinder is rotated from 0° − 360° 𝑖𝑛 20°
intervals, taking the reference level as atmospheric pressure.
 Measure the velocity of the flow at the center of the tunnel and take several readings from
equal distance intervals vertically from the center.
 Repeat the procedure for another upstream velocity by changing air flow in wind tunnel.

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 5.CALCULATIONS AND RESULTS
Case 1
 By the method of rate change of momentum,
Upstream gauge pressure= −19.3𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑

Upstream gauge pressure(𝑃0 ) = ℎ𝜌𝑔𝑆𝑖𝑛(30°)

= −19.3 × 10−3 𝑚 × 816 𝐾𝑔 𝑚−3 × 9.81 𝑚𝑠 −2 × 0.5
= −77.24𝑃𝑎
Selected stream line:
Velocity at end of the tunnel (top stream line)= 9.7 𝑚𝑠 −1
Gauge pressure at the exit = 0𝑝𝑎
Upstream velocity= 𝑈

From Bernoulli equation

1 1
𝑃 + 𝜌𝑈 2 = 0 + (1.16𝐾𝑔 𝑚−3 ) × 9.72
2 2
1 2 1
−77.24 + 𝜌𝑈 = 0 + (1.16𝐾𝑔 𝑚−3 ) × 9.72
2 2
𝑼 = 𝟏𝟓. 𝟎𝟕𝒎𝒔−𝟏

Drag force per unit length can be expressed as follows,

𝑛
𝐻
𝐷 = 𝑃0 𝐻 + 𝜌 [𝐻𝑈02 − ∑ 𝑉𝑖2 ]
𝑛
𝑖=1
Height of the control volume = 27cm
𝐷 = −77.24 ∗ 0.27 + 1.16[0.27 ∗ 15.072
0.27
− {9.72 + 9.12 + 8.72 + 8.02 + 7.82 + 8.22 + 8.92 + 9.12 + 9.92 }]
9

𝑫 = 𝟐𝟓. 𝟕𝟓𝑵𝒎−𝟏

Total drag force on the cylinder = 25.75 × 0.455𝑚

= 𝟏𝟏. 𝟕𝟏𝟔𝑵

𝜌𝑉𝐷
Reynolds number =
𝜇
1.16 ∗ 15.07 ∗ 0.089
=
1.846 ∗ 10−5

𝐑𝐞 = 𝟖. 𝟒𝟐𝟖𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎𝟒

2𝐷
The drag coefficient: 𝐶𝐷 =
𝜌𝑈0 2 𝐴
2×11.716 𝑁
=
1.16 𝑘𝑔⁄𝑚3 ×15.072 𝑚2 𝑠−2 ×0.455×0.089 𝑚2

𝑪𝑫 = 𝟐. 𝟏𝟗𝟔𝟒
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 By the method of pressure distribution
𝐷𝑃 = ∮ 𝑃𝑠 cos 𝜃 𝑑𝑠
ds = length of cylinder x length of the arc for one rotation = (rlθ)
20°
= 0.455 ∗ (𝜋 ∗ 0.0891) ∗
360°
𝑑𝑠 = 7.075 ∗ 10−3

For 𝟎°
ℎ = −10𝑚𝑚
Gauge pressure = ℎ𝜌𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛(30)
= −10𝑚𝑚 ∗ 816 𝑘𝑔⁄𝑚3 ∗ 9.81 ∗ 0.5
Gauge pressure = −𝟒𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟒𝟖𝑷𝒂

Drag Force, = 𝑃𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝜋 + 𝜃)𝑑𝑠

= −40.0248 ∗ cos(𝜋 + 0) ∗ 7.075 ∗ 10−3

𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟖𝟑𝟏𝑵

Rotation Pressure(mm) Pressure Drag

angle(𝜃) (Pa) 𝑃. cos(𝜋 + 𝜃) 𝑑𝑠

0 -10 -40.0248 0.283175

20 -8 -32.0198 0.212769
40 0 0 0
60 7 28.01736 -0.09882
80 9 36.02232 -0.0438
100 7 28.01736 0.034805
120 8 32.01984 0.113683
140 8 32.01984 0.173867
160 9 36.02232 0.239696
180 9 36.02232 0.254857
200 9 36.02232 0.239255
220 8 32.01984 0.17313
240 8 32.01984 0.112691
260 7 28.01736 0.033817
280 7 28.01736 -0.03505
300 9 36.02232 -0.12817
320 1 4.00248 -0.02176
340 -7 -28.0174 0.186515
360 -10 -40.0248 0.283173

𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 = 𝟐. 𝟎𝟏𝟑𝟖𝟑𝟒𝑵

Total Drag Force = 2.013834*0.455

D=0.91629N
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Pressure distribution around the cylinder for case 1,

Pressure (mm)
0
360 Pressure
10 (mm) 20

340 40
5
320 60
0

300 -5 80

-10
280 100

260 120

240 140

220 160
200 180

from equation,
D = ½ CD𝜌U02 A
CD = 2D/ (𝜌U02 A)
CD = 2x0.91629/(1.16x15.072*0.455x0.089)
CD = 0.1717

Case 2
 By the method of rate change of momentum,
Upstream gauge pressure= −28𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑

Upstream gauge pressure(𝑃0 ) = ℎ𝜌𝑔𝑆𝑖𝑛(30°)

= −28 × 10−3 𝑚 × 816 𝐾𝑔 𝑚−3 × 9.81 𝑚𝑠 −2 × 0.5
= −112.06𝑃𝑎

Selected stream line:

Velocity at end of the tunnel (top stream line)= 16.3 𝑚𝑠 −1
Gauge pressure at the exit = 0𝑝𝑎
Upstream velocity= 𝑈

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From Bernoulli equation
1 1
𝑃 + 𝜌𝑈 2 = 0 + (1.16𝐾𝑔 𝑚−3 ) × 16.32
2 2
1 2 1
−112.06 + 𝜌𝑈 = 0 + (1.16𝐾𝑔 𝑚−3 ) × 16.32
2 2
𝑼 = 𝟐𝟏. 𝟒𝟐𝒎𝒔−𝟏

Drag force per unit length can be expressed as follows,

𝑛
𝐻
𝐷 = 𝑃0 𝐻 + 𝜌 [𝐻𝑈02 − ∑ 𝑉𝑖2 ]
𝑛
𝑖=1

𝐷 = −112.06 ∗ 0.27 + 1.16[0.27 ∗ 21.422

0.27
− {16.32 + 162 + 15.62 + 152 + 14.82 + 14.42 + 15.42 + 162 + 16.52 }]
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𝑫 = 𝟑𝟕. 𝟓𝟏𝟔𝑵𝒎−𝟏

Total drag force on the cylinder = 4.1221 × 0.455𝑚

= 𝟏𝟕. 𝟎𝟕𝑵

𝜌𝑉𝐷
Reynolds number =
𝜇
1.16 ∗ 21.42 ∗ 0.089
=
1.846 ∗ 10−5

𝐑𝐞 = 𝟏. 𝟏𝟗𝟖𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎𝟓

2𝐷
The drag coefficient: 𝐶𝐷 =
𝜌𝑈0 2 𝐴
2×17.07 𝑁
=
1.16 𝑘𝑔⁄𝑚3 ×21.422 𝑚2 𝑠−2 ×0.455×0.089 𝑚2

𝑪𝑫 = 𝟏. 𝟓𝟖𝟒

 By the method of pressure distribution

𝐷𝑃 = ∮ 𝑃𝑠 cos 𝜃 𝑑𝑠
ds = length of cylinder x length of the arc for one rotation = (rlθ)
20°
= 0.455 ∗ (𝜋 ∗ 0.0891) ∗
360°
𝑑𝑠 = 7.075 ∗ 10−3

For 𝟎°
ℎ = −30𝑚𝑚
Gauge pressure = ℎ𝜌𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑛(30)
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 = −30𝑚𝑚 ∗ 816 𝑘𝑔⁄𝑚3 ∗ 9.81 ∗ 0.5
Gauge pressure = −𝟏𝟐𝟎. 𝟎𝟕𝟒𝑷𝒂

Drag Force, = 𝑃𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝜋 + 𝜃)𝑑𝑠

= −120.074 ∗ cos(𝜋 + 0) ∗ 7.075 ∗ 10−3

𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟒𝟗𝟓𝑵

Rotation Pressure(mm) Pressure Drag

angle(𝜃) (Pa) 𝑃. cos(𝜋 + 𝜃) 𝑑𝑠

0 -30 -120.074 0.849526

20 -24 -96.0595 0.638308
40 -2 -8.00496 0.043329
60 20 80.0496 -0.28235
80 30 120.0744 -0.14599
100 24 96.05952 0.119331
120 24 96.05952 0.34105
140 26 104.0645 0.565067
160 28 112.0694 0.74572
180 28 112.0694 0.792889
200 28 112.0694 0.744348
220 28 112.0694 0.605955
240 26 104.0645 0.366245
260 26 104.0645 0.125608
280 30 120.0744 -0.15022
300 30 120.0744 -0.42724
320 6 24.01488 -0.13054
340 -16 -64.0397 0.42632
360 -30 -120.074 0.84952

𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 = 𝟔. 𝟎𝟕𝟔𝟖𝑵

Total Drag Force = 6.0768*0.455

D=2.7649N

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Pressure distribution around the cylinder for case 2,

Pressure (mm)
0
360 30 20

340 20 40

10
320 60
0

-10
300 80
-20
Pressure (mm)
-30
280 100

260 120

240 140

220 160
200 180

from equation,
D = ½ CD𝜌U02 A
CD = 2D/ (𝜌U02 A)
CD = 2x2.7649/(1.16x21.422*0.455x0.089)
CD = 0.2565

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 6. DISCUSSION

( I ) Obtaining different values for CD :

By pressure and velocity values, CD can be calculated. There may be some errors in
practical. Velocity values are not sure because anemometer values are not exact values. Air
steam is not exactly ideal. There’s minor frictional forces. When apply the Bernoulli’s
equation, it is assumed that the air is ideal. Due to these reasons different CD values can be
obtained.
According to the CD equation, velocity affect to CD values. Even a small change in
velocity has a major effect on Drag Force so on CD because velocity square proportional to the
CD. When the calculate the upstream velocity using Bernoulli’s equation the line we get to
calculate is affect. But we didn’t consider it.

( II ) Comparison of CD values with Reynolds number:

If cylinder is perfectly smooth, theoretically variations of CD doesn’t vary in long value

range. But actually cylinder is not perfectly smooth. Due to it and experimental errors, there is a
small different between calculated results and actual results. According to obtained results, when
increase the flow velocity relation of CD with Re decreases.

( III ) Implementation of findings of the experiment on a large scale cylindrical structure:

To determine drag coefficient and drag force acting on relatively small structures, we
can be use this experiment. But there is no possible for do this large scale cylindrical structures
(i.e. oil rig, water tower).

CD value depends on the body shape, holding position of the body, surface roughness
and the flow velocity. According to result of this experiment CD is a constant for a given shape
of the surface of impact. Therefore, as a suggestion to this problem, a prototype of actual
cylindrical structure can be referred to this experiment and drag coefficient can be measured.
After finding value of CD the exact drag force of large structure can be calculated using the
equation D = 0.5CD A. in this case exact dimension of large structure must be used.

In order to reduce the aerodynamic drag force acting on motor vehicles, the source of
the drag force must be realized. Aerodynamic drag is a force that opposes the direction of thrust
of a car and that is not a required force.

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( IV ) Designing of modern day cars to reduce drag force:
When a car moves, air flow become turbulent because of the movement of the car
through air flow. By the pressure difference between normal air and turbulent air, a drag force
occurs. These drag forces are a major disadvantage because to drive the vehicle against these
drag forces, more fuel is used and the handling of the car becomes sophisticated etc. So
manufactures try to avoid that drag force varies ways. One way is change the shape to minimize
the wake behind the car.

They use angle spoilers in rear to reduce turbulent flow, curve front buffers to keep the laminar
fluid flow, minimize the car height to reduce the projection area etc.

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 References

[1] AnnickD’Auteuil n, GuyL.Larose, SteveJ.Zan J. (2012), Wind turbulence in speed

skating Measurement, simulation and its effect on aerodynamic drag, Wind Eng. Ind.
Aerodyn.104-106 585–593.

[2] Dag Myrhaug, Hanne T. Wist, Lars Erik Holmedal. (2003), Department of Marine
Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Otto Nielsens vei 10, N-
7491 Trondheim, Norway.

[3] H. Nakamura, T. Igarashi (2008), Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial

Aerodynamics 96 (2008) 887–899 Department of Mechanical Engineering, National
Defense Academy, Yokosuka, Japan

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