Self Assessment

The making of this project involved valuable contributions from all the members of our group.
Each member brought in a separate and unique form of expertise aiding us to achieve the results
we did. Everyone contributed in whichever way possible, whether in the practical aspect or the
theory portion. The report is a vast one, involving multiple concepts being appreciated at the
same time, so, each member gained an opportunity to learn fresh ideas and gain more of an
interest in the field of fluid dynamics. These results would have not been established had any
member backed out from the project.

Name and Entry Number Grading

Arnav Kalra (2020CH70157) 5

Aryan Tyagi(2020CH10078) 5

Arya Ladhani(2020BB10026) 5

Utkarsh Dogra(2020CH70199) 5

Vaibhav Shivran(2020CH70201) 5

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 Course: CLL231- Fluid Mechanics for Chemical Engineering
Course Instructor: Mr. Somnath Ghosh
2ND Semester 2021-22

Studying the flight of a paper airplane using

manual simulation and dimensional analysis

Authors:
Arnav Kalra (2020CH70157)
Aryan Tyagi(2020CH10078)
Arya Ladhani(2020BB10026)
Utkarsh Dogra(2020CH70199)
Vaibhav Shivran(2020CH70201)

Index

1) Abstract

2) Introduction

3) Methods

4) Discussion

5) Conclusions

6) References

7) Appendix

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Abstract

The idea of Fluid mechanics was used in the past to develop and understand concepts involved
in flying a paper to originate further hypotheses and to apply the result obtained on a larger
scale. The flight patterns of a paper plane were studied briefly using two methods , first
manually flying them, and second, dimensional analysis. Flight patterns of three different types
of paper planes were observed. These experiments were conducted in a closed room. Necessary
parameters for us to conclude the report are Lift coefficient(CL), Drag Coefficient(CD) and
aerodynamic efficiency (CL/CD).The results obtained were verified using the concept of
dimensional analysis(with the help of Buckingham Pi Theorem). Data recorded involves the
average velocities in horizontal direction, time of flight and ranges. The paper planes vary in
terms of Wingspan and Cord length. The obtained data was plotted using characteristic lengths
and the average velocities to obtain the relations between the parameters of different planes.
Since the experiments were conducted in a secluded space, the transverse wind velocity(velocity
of wind perpendicular to the direction of movement of the plane) can be neglected. Paper planes
used in this experiment are assumed to be flat plates and accordingly the calculations have been
adjusted.

Introduction

Seldom do we get an opportunity to study practical courses throughout the duration of our
Undergraduate Programme. Despite studying Engineering at one of the premier institutes of the
nation, we have had the misfortune of attending college in an online mode for more than 3
semesters. In the search of an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the science we have
been learning, we have landed upon an opportunity to study a major phenomenon of nature in
depth and in-person with our colleagues. For that we are extremely grateful to our course
coordinator Mr. Somnath Ghosh.

Fluid Mechanics has always been an intriguing domain. Students of almost all disciplines study
this course to get an understanding about the dynamics of fluid. Fluid comes from the word
‘flow’, which means movement along a stream or current. Fluid flow has been studied very
vividly in the past and what we choose to study and apply today is a very small part of the entire
theory. Fluid flow has been majorly categorised into two types: Laminar flow and turbulent
flow. Laminar flow can be explained in easy words as a very smooth flow of fluid in which the
velocity profile can be expressed without any complexity. Turbulent flow on the other hand is
very complex and cannot be studied easily.

The distinction between types of flow is made by some dimensionless constants which can be
calculated easily by basic parameters of the flow. These constants are Reynold’s Number, and
Froude’s Number. Reynold’s Number plays a major part in the study of fluid flow and fluid
behaviour.

Paper Planes were first made in China in ancient time as it was a part of their rich paper folding
art form, origami. With time, many other designers have improved and developed the paper
model, while using it as a fundamentally useful tool in aircraft design.

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This report is a comprehensive study of ‘How paper planes fly?’ Their gliding nature has been
vividly explored and relations are drawn based upon methods that we have used. Paper Planes
are best known for their gliding nature. From flying paper planes in childhood to understanding
the science behind airplanes flying, the principle remains the same. As we know for any object
to move in space, which has previously been at rest, force is required. Similarly for a paper
plane to fly we need to apply a certain force in the desired direction. This applied force (better
called impulsive force) is called Thrust. Thrust is the force applied by a person when they throw
a plane through their fingers, holding the plane at its bottom. Now when the plane is in motion,
some more forces act on the plane such as lift, drag and gravity. A detailed study about these
forces has been done and displayed in the discussions section.

To study the flight of a paper plane we have used two methods: Manual Flight Simulation (to
observe the characteristics of flight for different structures of the same material plane) and
Dimensional Analysis (to derive relations between scientific constants and parameters of flow).

Methods

Manual Analysis

By manually flying the prepared paper planes, we observe the flight patterns and obtain the
velocity and the time of flight for each plane. We measure the dimensions of the plane including
the cord length(c), wing area(S) and the aspect ratio(A.R.) for each plane.

Aspect Ratio is the ratio of the square of the Wingspan and the Wing Area. It is a dimensionless
quantity.

A.R. = (Wingspan)2/(Wing Area)

We make certain assumptions and a few calculations to obtain the values of the lift
coefficient(CL) and the drag coefficient(CD)using the below stated equations.

CL =2L/(ρ*V2*A.R.)

L: Lift Force

CD=2D/(ρ*V2*A.R.)

D: Drag Force

The data obtained was used and comparison was made among the three planes based on the
CL/CD ratios. We further plotted a graph of CL /CD vs CL .

Dimensional Analysis

We now make use of the ‘Buckingham Pi Theorem’ to derive a relation for relating the
dimensionless quantities, depending upon velocity, length, density, and viscosity of air.
According to this theorem, number of dimensionless groups required is given:

n=7-m

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Where

n = number of dimensionless groups

m = number of primary quantities (i.e., M, L, T etc.)

We make use of the Buckingham Pi theorem by identifying parameters which are important for
the flight of paper planes. Typical parameters which should be used should be cord length (L),
coefficient of viscosity (μ), acceleration due to gravity (g), velocity of plane (v) and density of
fluid (ρ). In our study, the fluid is air.

Now we apply dimensional analysis to find the dimensionless groups:

1. Find a dimensionless group (1) in terms of , v, L and .

1 = (ρ)a (υ)b (L)c (μ)d

Here, [ρ]=ML-3; [υ]=LT-1; [L]=L; [μ]=ML-1T-1

We get: M0L0T0=(ML-3)a (LT-1)b (L)c (ML-1T-1)d

On solving, we get: a=-d, b=-d, c=-d

On substituting d=-1, we get π1=Re= ρ * υ *L/ μ, which is Reynold’s Number.

2. Find a dimensionless group (2) in terms of v, g, L.

2 = (υ)a(g)b(L)c

Here, [υ]=LT-1, [g]=LT-2, [L]=L

We get: M0L0T0=(LT-1)a (LT-2)b (L)c

On solving, we get: a=-2b, c=b

Substituting b=-1/2 we get π2=Fr= υ /√(g*L), which is Froude’s Number.

After getting the necessary dimensionless groups, we collect the relevant data (which is cord
length and velocity) for 3 different kinds of paper planes. We compare the values of the two
dimensionless quantities obtained using graphical representation. Moreover, we check their
dependence on the set of observed and recorded variables.

Results
After a comprehensive study of all the three different planes, we were able to accumulate a lot
of data to verify our claims and to support further discussions.

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We tabulated the velocities and the time of flight on manual experimentation, and calculated the
parameters of the planes used, namely the Wing Area(S) and Aspect Ratio(AR).

We then utilise the previously stated equations for the Lift Coefficient(CL) and Drag
Coefficient(CD) and to calculate the values and compare them.

We further, used those values to plot the following graph of CL/ CD vs CL.

Since we didn’t have enough machinery, we compared lift and drag forces by using some basic
assumptions which do not change their relation by a significant margin.

Lift force: Fundamentally, lift force is the one which opposes the gravitational force and is
directly related to the mass of the paper plane. Since mass of all planes is the same, lift force is
same for all the planes. We assume the mass to be 40g and the lift force to be 40gf (40*10-3N).

Drag Force: Drag force is the force opposite to the trust and is related to the friction force and
therefore, we related it to the friction co-efficient and assume it to be some constant(α)*friction
coefficient(κ).

We utilised the data for velocities and length of plane and used standard values for the density
and coefficient of viscosity, to obtain the Reynold’s Number and the Froude's Number.

We further plot three types of graphs : Re vs Fr, Re vs Fr2 and Re vs friction coefficient. (All
quantities are in SI units).

1. Plane Design #1 (Length = 0.136m)

Velocity Re Fr Fr2 Friction Coefficient

(κ)

1.18 10424.91 1.03 1.05 0.0065

1.04 9188.06 0.90 0.81 0.0069

1.2 10601.60 1.04 1.09 0.0064

1.11 9806.48 0.97 0.93 0.0067

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Graph 1.1: Re vs Fr graph

Graph1.2: Re vs Fr2 graph

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 Graph 1.3: Re vs Friction co-efficient graph

2. Plane Design #2 (Length = 0.135m)

Velocity Re Fr Fr2 Friction Coefficient

(κ)
1.67 14753.90 1.45 2.11 0.00546

1.59 14047.12 1.38 1.91 0.00560

1.71 15107.28 1.49 2.21 0.00540

1.80 15018.94 1.48 2.18 0.00541

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Graph 2.1: Re vs Fr graph

Graph 2.2: Re vs Fr2 graph

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 Graph 2.3: Re vs Friction coefficient graph

3. Plane Design #3 (Length = 0.134m)

Velocity Re Fr Fr2 Friction Coefficient

(κ)
1.83 16047.68 1.59 2.53 0.00524

1.88 16486.15 1.63 2.67 0.00517

1.79 15696.92 1.56 2.42 0.00529

1.9 16661.53 1.65 2.73 0.00514

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Graph 3.1: Re vs Fr graph

Graph 3.2: Re vs Fr2 graph

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 Graph 3.3: Re vs Friction Coefficient graph

The following table consists of the dimensions of different types of planes:

Paper Plane Plane Design #1 Plane Design #2 Plane Design #3

Area(A)(cm2) 235.28 122.22 242.54

Wingspan(S) (cm) 13.6 13.5 13.4

Aspect Ratio 0.7929 1.4911 0.7403

Average 1.18 1.67 1.83

Velocity(ms-1)

Since we made reasonable assumptions about lift and drag forces,

L = 40gf

D=α*κ

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 Note that α is again a mass dependent term.

The following table provides us with all the data we need.

Let us assume

α=100 gf

ρ= 1.225 kg/m3

Plane Type Lift Force (L(in Average Drag Drag CL/CD

gf)) coefficient of Force(D(in gf)) Coefficient(CD)(10-
friction (κ) 3
)

Plane Design #1 40 0.006625 0.6625 0.489855 60.37736

Plane Design #2 40 0.0054675 0.54675 0.107328 73.15958

Plane Design #3 40 0.00521 0.521 0.17155 76.77543

Drag Coefficient(C D )(10-3)

0.6
Plane Design#1
0.5

0.4

0.3
Plane Design #3
0.2
Plane Design #2
0.1

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Drag Coefficient(CD)(10-3)

Graph 4: CL/CD VS CD.

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Discussions

The concept of flight can be evidently explained by virtue of the basic forces acting on the
plane, for that matter any object in flight motion. These forces originate when the plane cuts
through the layers of the fluid, in this case, air. The fluid motion is initiated and friction between
the layers of the fluid causes net forces to act on the plane body.

As seen in the Free Body Diagram of a plane wing shown below, four forces act on the wing,
namely the drag, lift, thrust and the gravitational force.

Above air
flowing
downwards

Drag

The wings slice through the air molecules, causing a phenomenon stated as the Coanda Effect,
which is the tendency of the fluid to stay in contact with an object. It implies that the airflow
will follow the shape of whatever object it encounters, in this case, the wing. In the figure
shown below, keep a watch at the airflow above the wing, it seems to get pushed downwards at
the back of the wing. That downward flow creates an upward force on the lower end of the

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wing, and that force is known as the lift. The layer of air that flows across the wing causes the
plane to slow down due to frictional forces, known as drag force. The weight of the paper plane
pulls it downwards and affects the net force acting on the plane. For a paper plane, the
horizontal force applied while projecting it is called as thrust force.

Conclusions

After performing Dimensional Analysis, with the help of the Buckingham Pi Theorem, we
related the two dimensionless quantities, namely the Reynold’s number and the Froude’s
number. We mathematically inferred a linear relationship between the two quantities.
Experimentation using the three kinds of standard paper planes mentioned before, helped in
verifying the relationship between them. We verified the inverse relation between the friction
coefficient and Reynold's number, evident from the tabulated data and the plots. The
observations revealed that the standard friction coefficient values are relatively greatest for the
Plane Design #3 and least for the Plane Design #1.

References

1. Ismail, N. I., Mohd Ali, Z., Ishak, I. S., Noor, R. M., & Rabilah, R. (2020).
Aerodynamic performances of Paper Planes. Journal of Advanced Research in
Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences, 77(1), 124–131.
https://doi.org/10.37934/arfmts.77.1.124131

2. Hargather, M., Hussan, S., Jacomb-Hood, T., Francis, Z., Seneca, C., Quinlin,
M., & Fernando, R. (n.d.). Fluid Dynamics Dimensional Analysis take-home
experiment using paper airplanes. 2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.18260/1-2--19624

3. wired. (2018, March 29). How this guy folds and flies world record paper
airplanes | wired. YouTube. Retrieved March 18, 2022, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BNg4fDJC8A

4. Foldnflycom. (2013, October 11). ✈ fun acrobatic trick paper airplane tutorial
- the stunt plane - fold 'n fly. YouTube. Retrieved March 18, 2022, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peJsIO8YnAw

5. Buddies, S. (2013, February 28). Soaring Science: Test Paper Planes with
Different Drag. Scientific American.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-paper-planes-

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 drag/

6. The Science Behind Paper Airplanes. (2022, March 18). Jaco. https://www.e-
aircraftsupply.com/the-science-behind-paper-airplanes/

7. Buddies, S. (2013, February 28). Soaring Science: Test Paper Planes with
Different Drag. Scientific American.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-paper-planes-
drag/

Appendix

This link give you access to Images we have clicked of the paper plane and even code
we wrote to generate Reynold’s Number and Froude’s Number.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wxhGPVZTDN2AS_lQ2rdDKibBW1D6jnd6?u
sp=sharing

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