ADDIS ABABA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY

College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering

Department of Electromechanical Engineering

Thermo-Fluid Lab report

Experiment 3: Measurement of Lift & Drag of an aero foil at different angles of attack Lab Report

Group Members

1. Amanuel Takele ---------- ETS 0125/10

2. Ayano Alene --------------- ETS 0174/10

3. Bazin Leule ----------------- ETS 0195/10

4. Betelhem Girma ---------- ETS 0251/10

5. Bezawit Sitotaw ---------- ETS 0270/10

6. Biniyam Negash ----------- ETS 0281/10

7. Birhanu Yenew ------------ ETS 0286/10

8. Biruck Zewdie -------------- ETS 0289/10

9. Dawit Abebaw -------------- ETS 0351/10

10. Dawit Ayele ---------------- ETS 0356/10

11. Eiskias Wondwossen ----- ETS 0421/10

12. Kalab Gette ----------------- ETS 0545/09

13. Dawit Tamene ------------- ETS 0370/10

Submitted to: Mr. Million

Date of experiment performed: December 6, 2021

Date of Submission: December 13, 2021

TITLE

Experiment 3: Measurement of Lift & Drag of an aero foil at different angles of attack
OBJECTIVE

 To determine the lift and drag coefficient.

 To investigate the variation of lift and drag with velocity at zero angle of attack
 To investigate the effect of changing angle of attack.

Equipment Required

 C15-10 Wind Tunnel with IFD7

 PC running C15-304 software
 C15-20 Lift and Drag Aero foil
 C15-11 Inclined Manometer Bank or C15-12 Electronic Manometer Bank.

Theory

Lift is the component of force on an aero foil that acts ‘upwards’. In a three-dimensional situation,
lift must be defined carefully. It is usually defined as acting perpendicularly to the span and chord of
the aero foil if the chord is taken as a straight line from the nose to the trailing edge, with a positive
value when the force acts in the direction of the upper surface. Lift may have components in any
direction relative to a fixed ground, depending on the orientation of the aero foil and the direction
of the airflow. Negative values of lift may be possible depending on the angle of attack.

When using the C15-20 the span of the wing is fixed parallel to the floor of the working section, and
the lift is assumed to act perpendicularly to the span with no lateral component towards the tunnel
side walls. The lift therefore acts directly upwards when the aero foil is at a zero angle of attack,
and acts at an angle to the vertical equal to the angle of attack of the aero foil.

Drag is the component of the force on an aero foil that acts along the direction of the airflow, and
in the same direction (For an aircraft in level flight, drag acts in the opposite direction to the
direction of flight). Drag resists the movement of the aero foil through the airstream. Drag is always
a positive value or zero (in non-theoretical situations, drag will only be zero if the air velocity is also
zero).

Drag is a combination of the effects of friction on the surface of the aero foil (form drag) and the
component of lift acting in the drag direction (induced drag). For any given aero foil and Reynolds
number, a drag coefficient may be found which may then be used to predict the drag for that aero
foil at any other Reynolds number.

CD = CDO + CDL

Where CDO is the form drag coefficient, and CDL is the induced drag coefficient. CDL may be
considered as a function of the coefficient of lift, CL.

CDL=KCL2

The drag may be defined as

D=1/2 ρ V2SCD=1/2 ρ V2SCD0 + ½ ρ V2 S(KCL2)

Where D = total drag, ρ = density of air, V = velocity of air flow over aero foil, and S = a
characteristic dimension, usually the wing area = plan area of one surface of the wing= chord x span
for the C15-10
When the contribution of lift to drag is zero (k = 0), the value of CDO may be calculated directly
from the measured value of D using the lift and drag balance.
The combined effect of form drag and induced drag give a characteristic shape to a graph of total
drag against velocity:

This curve shows that as velocity increases, drag initially falls, then reaches a minimum, then rises
again. This minimum drag velocity is an important characteristic in aerodynamics as it indicates the
most efficient velocity for the body (e.g. the aero foil, wing or aircraft). This is independent of any
factors due to propulsion.

Lift and drag characteristics of an aero foil

The lift and drag produced or experienced by an aero foil varies with the air velocity and with the
angle of attack.

Fig 2 Lift against α for symmetrical aero foil

For a given angle of attack, an increase in air speed will tend to increase the magnitude of both lift
and drag until the air speed is sufficiently high that compression effects become noticeable (i.e.
close to supersonic speeds- the C15-10 is designed so that air speed can never reach this point). For
a given air speed, the relationship between lift, and angle of attack is more complex, as illustrated
above
The lift generated increases until a critical angle or stall angle is reached. The lift then falls sharply
until it begins to stabilize again at an even greater angle of attack; at this point the drag will be very
significant.

Lift: For a given aero foil and Reynolds number, a lift coefficient may be found which may then be
used to predict the lift for that aero foil at any other Reynolds number.

CL=L / (1/2 ρ V2S)

where L=lift, ρ = density of fluid, V = velocity of air flow over aero foil, and S = a characteristic
dimension

The characteristic dimension is taken as the chord; where the model under test is an aero foil
occupying the full width of the working section.

The lift and drag balance measure the vertical lift component (the lift acting perpendicular to the
tunnel floor). This may not be the total lift, as illustrated below:

Fig 3 Lift and drag forces on aero foil

Using geometry, the total lift, L, may be calculated as

L=l cosα

Where l is the vertical lift component measured by the lift and drag balance, and α is the angle of

attack. The lift coefficient, CL, is then calculated as

CL= l cosα/ (1/2 ρ V2S)

It may be seen that when α= 0, l = L, and thus the total lift on a symmetrical aero foil at zero angle
of attack will be the lift measured using the lift and drag balance. (N.B. this differs for an
asymmetric aero foil, which may generate a positive value of lift at zero angle of attack). The
component of drag due to lift may be calculated as ltanα. Now

ltanα = ½ρV²S(kCL²)

It is therefore possible to find kCL² for any given velocity and angle of attack, and thus to find the
value of k.

Equipment Set Up

The lift and drag aero foil should be fitted to the lift and drag balance, and the balance should then
be fitted into the large circular hatch. The small hatch should be fitted with the plain hatch cover.
The cable from the lift and drag balance should be connected to the socket on the front of the IFD7
and ensure that the floor is fitted. Check the surroundings to see that there is no obstruction at the
inlet or outlet of the tunnel and that there are no loose objects nearby which could cause a hazard.

The single tube from the pressure tapping on working section side wall (near the inlet) should be
connected to the 1-way quick-release fitting on the black box fitted to the tunnel frame. Connect
the cable from the lift and drag balance to the front of the IFD7.

Check that the IFD7 is connected to a suitable mains electrical supply and to the USB socket of a
suitable PC. The PC should be switched on and the appropriate software version run (C15-11
version or C15-12 version depending on the manometer used). Select ‘Exercise G’ and ensure that
‘IFD: OK’ is displayed in the bottom right-hand corner and finally Switch on the IFD7 using the mains
switch on the front.

Procedure

1. Check that the fan is set to 0%, then switch it out of standby mode by selecting the ‘Fan On’
button on the mimic diagram. Check that the manometer readings are all the same at zero velocity.

2. Measure the ambient temperature in Celsius and pressure of the laboratory in Pascals and enter
the results in the appropriate boxes on the mimic diagram.

3. In the software, select the ‘Zero’ button beside the ‘Lift’ data display box. This sets the datum
point for zero lift (no air velocity).

4. Gradually set the fan to 20% in 1% increments by using the up arrows. This allows the fan to start
up gradually.

5. Check that all fittings on the tunnel remain secure and that there is no safety hazard due to the
inlet and outlet air streams. Be aware of the surroundings when operating the wind tunnel, keeping
safety in mind at all times. Allow time for the fan to stabilize at 20%.

6. Check the wing to see that it is in proper alignment: Adjust the angle of attack of the wing while
observing the head reading for the first tapping (head reading 1, at the nose). The greatest head
should be obtained when the zero reading on the scale is aligned with the central marker on the
tunnel wall. If this is not in exact alignment then you will need to allow for the slight offset when
setting the angle of attack.

A. Conduct an initial investigation of the variation of lift and drag with velocity at zero angle of
attack:

Set the wing to 0° angle of attack and check that ‘0°’ is displayed in the ‘Angle of Attack’ box on the
mimic diagram.

Log the sensor readings by selecting the "GO" icon. Increase the fan setting to 30%. Select the “GO"
icon again.

Repeat at 40%, 50%, etc. up to 100%, logging the data each time with the “GO” icon.

B. Investigate the effect of changing angle of attack:

Set the fan back to 20%. Create a new results table using the icon. Log the sensor readings by
selecting the “GO” icon. Adjust the wing to set it at an angle of +2° from the zero point (i.e. rotated
with the nose raised and the tail lowered). Check for ‘2°’ in the ‘Angle of Attack’ box. Select the
“GO"icon again.

Repeat at wing angles of +4°, +6°, and then at +7°, +8°, +9° and so on until +16°, using the “GO” icon
to save each set of data. Take further readings at +18°, +20° etc. up to +30°. Note that at high
angles of attack the wing will form a significant obstruction in the working section. This slightly
increases the air speed for a given fan setting. The effect of this on the results obtained is small, but
for accuracy it is possible to adjust the fan speed slightly to match the air velocities obtained for
lower angles of attack.

Repeat the investigation of angle of attack as before for fan speeds of 50% and 100%, using a new
results sheet for each set of results. If time permits, the exercise may be repeated for negative
angles of attack (-2°, -4° etc).

Gradually shut down the fan: Type in a value of 50% for the fan setting. When the fan has slowed,
type in a value of 20%. Once the fan has slowed again, reduce the fan speed to 0% by using the
arrow keys.

Set the fan to Standby by selecting the ‘Fan On button in the software.

Save the software results by selecting ‘Save As…’ from the File menu. Give the results a suitable
name for future reference, such as the equipment code, experiment letter and date. Switch off the
mains switch on the IFD7.
Results

The software records the sensor data and corresponding calculations under the following headings:

Fan Ambie Ambien Tunne Tunnel Tunnel Reynold

Speed nt t l Pressur Velocit s
(%) Temp Pressur Head e y Number
(0C) e (mm) (Pa) (m/s) (R)
(Pa)

Angle Vertical lift Drag CL CD CD0 CDL K

of Attack (N) (N)
(degrees)

Questions

1. For the first set of results (at zero angle of attack with varying velocity), plot a graph of lift against
velocity. On a second y-axis, plot the coefficient of lift CL.
Velocity(fan speed(%)) Lift(N) Lift coefficient
20 -0.01 -0.01
30 -0.01 -0.01
40 -0.03 -0.01
50 0.03 0.00
60 0.05 0.00
70 -0.03 0.00
80 -0.04 0.00
90 -0.03 0.00
100 -0.03 0.00

0.06
0.04
0.02
Lift(N)
0
0 50 100 150 Lift coefficient
-0.02
-0.04
-0.06
2. On another graph plot CD, CDO, and CDL against velocity. Plot the drag on the second Y axis.
Velocity(fan speed(%)) CD CDO CDL
20 0.03 0.03 0.00
30 0.02 0.02 0.00
40 0.01 0.01 0.00
50 0.01 0.01 0.00
60 0.00 0.00 0.00
70 0.00 0.00 0.00
80 0.00 0.00 0.00
90 0.00 0.00 0.00
100 0.00 0.00 0.00

0.035
0.03
0.025
0.02 CD
0.015 CDO
0.01 CDL
0.005
0
-0.005 0 50 100 150

3. For the other sets of results (with varying angle of attack at constant velocity), on the same graph
plot lift coefficient against angle of attack for every velocity.
a) Using 20% fan speed
Angle of Lift coefficient
attack
0.0 0.0
2.0 0.02
3.8 0.01
6.1 0.02
8.0 0.16
10.1 0.01
15.0 0.11
20.1 0.02
 0.2

0.15

0.1

0.05

0
0 5 10 15 20 25

b) Using 50% fan speed

Angle of attack Lift coefficient
0.0 0.06
2.0 0.01
3.9 0.00
6.0 0.01
8.1 0.00
9.9 0.00
15.0 0.01
20.0 0.02

0.08

0.06

0.04

0.02

0
0 2 4 6 8 10
-0.02

c) Using 80% fan speed

Angle of attack Lift coefficient
0.0 0.01
2.1 0.00
4.1 0.00
5.9 0.00
8.1 0.00
10.2 0.00
15.1 0.01
20.1 0.01
 0.015

0.01

0.005

0
0 5 10 15 20 25
-0.005

4. Plot a graph of k against angle of attack for two sample velocities.

a) for 50% fan speed
Angle of attack k
0.0 0.00
2.0 5.44
3.9 24.35
6.0 13.35
8.1 61.64
9.9 53.51
15.0 23.53
20.0 2.22
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0 5 10 15 20 25

a) for 100% fan speed

Angle of attack k
0.0 -0.07
2.0 -176.4
3.9 1318.55
6.0 108.36
8.1 124.55
9.9 101.38
15.0 51.88
20.0 29.03
 1500

1000

500

0
0 5 10 15 20 25
-500

Conclusion

The relationship between coefficients of lift with velocity for aero foil at zero angle of attack is
inversely proportional to the square of velocity. But as for the experimental comparison, we were
instructed to measure coefficient of lift at fixed fan speed of 80% so couldn’t able compare the
results.

Induced drag is formed from the lift force created. As speed increases, the form drag decrease but
induced drag increases because the fluid is striking the object with greater force and is moving
across the object’s surface at higher speed.

For a given angle of attack, if we increase the air speed it will also increase the magnitude of both
lift and drag until the air speed becomes high then the compression effects can be noticed.

For a given air speed, the relationship between lift and angle of attack is more complex. The lift
generated increases until a critical angle or stall angle is reached. The lift then falls sharply until it
begins to stabilize again at an even greater angle of attack; at this point the drag will be very
significant.

1. The relationship between coefficient of lift with velocity for aero foil at zero angle of attack is
that coefficient of lift is inversely proportional to the square of velocity. But as for the experimental
comparison the data collected has a lot of errors so couldn’t able compare the results.

2. Induced drag is formed from the lift force created. As speed increases, induced drag increases
because the fluid is striking the object with higher force and is moving across the object’s surface at
higher speed but the form drag decreases.

0.04

0.03
CD
0.02
CDO
0.01
CDL
0
0 50 100 150
-0.01

Since there were lots of errors in the experiment due to human error and also error caused by
sensors, we were not able to record the necessary information needed to properly draw a graph
that shows the relationship of CD, CD0, CDL so we were not able to compare the theoretical and
experimental graphs and see their difference.

3. For a given air speed, the relationship between lift, and angle of attack is not directly or indirectly
proportional as it is more complex as we can see from the graph below. The lift generated increases
until a critical angle is reached. The lift then falls sharply until it begins to stabilize again at an even
greater angle of attack; at this point the drag will be very significant

In the experimental data show below for a fan speed of 20%, lift generated increases until the angle
of 8.1o then falls sharply. The maximum lift that occurred is 0.16N at 8.10 critical angle.

Angle
Velocity(fan
Lift(N) of
speed(%))
attack
20 0 0
20 0.02 2.1
20 -0.01 4.1
20 0.02 5.9
20 0.16 8.1
20 -0.12 10.2
20 -0.01 15.1
20 -0.01 20.1

In the experimental data show below for a fan speed of 50%, lift generated increases until the angle
of 20.1o then falls sharply. The maximum lift that occurred is 0.12N at 20.1 degrees critical angle.

Angle
Velocity(fan
Lift(N) of
speed(%))
attack
50 0.4 0
50 0.05 2.1
50 0.02 4.1
50 0.06 5.9
50 0.02 8.1
50 0.02 10.2
50 0.09 15.1
50 0.12 20.1
In the experimental data show below for a fan speed of 100%, lift generated increases until the
angle of 20.1o then falls sharply. The maximum lift that occurred is 0.43N at 20.1 0 critical angle.

Angle
Velocity of
Lift(N) of
fan (%)
attack
100 0.23 0
100 -0.01 2.1
100 0.00 4.1
100 0.03 5.9
100 0.04 8.1
100 0.06 10.2
100 0.17 15.1
100 0.43 20.1