ASCI 509 Example Problems

Module 3 Example Problems

Summary of Equations
dV
τ w =μ( ) Equation 3-1
dy y=0
ρ∞V ∞ V∞
Rex = x= x Equation 3-2
μ∞ ν∞

5.2 x
δ= laminar Equation 3-3
√ R ex
τw τw
C fx = =
1 2 q ∞ Boundary Layer Equation 3-4
ρ∞ V ∞
2

0.664
c fx = laminar local Equation 3-5
√ℜx
0.664 q ∞
τ w= laminar Equation 3-6
√ ℜx
1.328 q ∞ L
Df = laminar Equation 3-7
√ ρ∞ V ∞ L /μ
Df
Cf = Boundary Layer Total Equation 3-8
q∞ S

1.328
Cf = laminar total Equation 3-9
√ ℜL
0.37 x
δ= 0.2 turbulent Equation 3-10
ℜx

0.0592
c fx = turbulent local Equation 3-11
ℜ0.2
x

0.074
Cf = 0.2 turbulent total Equation 3-12
ℜL

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ASCI 509 Example Problems

Example Problems
Example 3-1
Find the local Reynolds number for a flat plate airfoil 3 m in length and 20 m in span with a free-
stream velocity of 200 m/s at the trailing edge of the flat plate. Assume Standard Sea level
conditions an incompressible. Is this flow Laminar or Turbulent?
N 5 kg
T ∞=288.15 K p ∞=1.01325 x 10 ρ =1.225 3
2 ∞
m m
kg
μ∞ =1.7894 x 10−5
m−s

Start with Equation 3-2

ρ∞V ∞ V∞
Rex = x= x
μ∞ ν∞

kg m
(1.225 )(200 )
m
3
s
3 m = 4.108 x 10
7
Rex = kg
−5
m−s
1.7894 x 10

From the Lectures notes- The Re for laminar flow is less than 0.5 million and the Re is greater
than 10 million for turbulent flow. Therefore this flow is considered turbulent.

At 200 m/s where along the given flat plate airfoil will the transition critical value (x cr) exist. Recr
= 0.5 million or 5 x 105

−5 5
(1.7894 x 10 )(5 x 10 )
Xcr = = 0.0365 m
(1.225)(200)

What does the velocity of the airflow have to less than to still have laminar flow along the full
length of the flat plate airfoil.

(5 x 105 )(1.7894 x 10−5)

V ∞= = 2.4 m/s
( 1.225 ) (3)
Example 3-2.
Assume incompressible flow, given a flat plate airfoil with the dimensions 3 m length and 20 m
span with free-stream velocity of 2 m/s. Standard Sea level conditions.
Find the following for laminar flow

a) Boundary layer thickness (δ) at the end of the airfoil

b) Total skin friction drag coefficient
c) Drag per unit span.

Standard Sea level Conditions

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ASCI 509 Example Problems

N kg
T ∞=288.15 K p ∞=1.01325 x 10 5 ρ =1.225 3
2 ∞
m m
−5 kg
μ∞ =1.7894 x 10
m−s

Find Reynolds number use Equation 3-2

ρ∞V ∞ ( 1.225 ) ( 2 )
Rex = x= (3) = 4.108 x 105
μ∞ 1.7894 x 10
−5

Thickness use Equation 3-3

5.2 x (5.2)( 3)
δ= = = 0.0243 m
√ R ex √ 4.108 x 105
Total skin friction use Equation 3-9

1.328 1.328
Cf = = = 0.00207
√ ℜL √ 4.108 x 105
Total Drag use Equation 3-8

1 2
q ∞= ρ ∞ V ∞ = ½ (1.225 kg/m3) (2 m/s)2 = 2.45 N/m2
2

Df
Cf = => D f =C f q ∞ S = (0.00207)(2.45 N/m2) (3 m)(20m)
q∞ S
D f = .3043 N for one side of the flat plate
Total D f = .6086 N

Find the following for Turbulent flow assuming free-stream velocity of 100 m/s
a) Boundary layer thickness (δ) at the end of the airfoil
b) Total skin friction drag coefficient
c) Total Drag assuming the entire airfoil is engulfed in turbulent flow

First find Reynolds number

ρ∞V ∞ ( 1.225 ) (100 )

Rex = x= (3) = 2.054 x 107
μ∞ 1.7894 x 10−5

Thickness use Equation 3-10

0.37 x ( 0.37 ) (3)

δ= 0.2 = = 0.0383 m
ℜx (2.054 x 107)0.2

Total Skin Friction use Equation 3-12

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ASCI 509 Example Problems

0.074 0.074
Cf = 0.2 ¿ = 0.00255
ℜL ¿¿

Total Drag use Equation 3-8 after solving for dynamic pressure, q ∞

1
q ∞= ρ ∞ V 2∞ = ½ (1.225 kg/m3) (100 m/s)2 = 6125 N/m2
2

Df
Cf = => D f =C f q ∞ S = (0.002551)(6125 N/m2) (3 m)(20m)
q∞ S
D f = 937.5 N for one side of the flat plate
Total D f = 1875 N

Example 3-3
Review the following Examples in Introduction to Flight
Example 4.43 (pp. 249-250)
Example 4.44 (pp. 256-257)

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