Lift Coefficient and Drag Coefficient

Lift coefficient and drag coefficient are two dimensionless numbers that are used to describe the
aerodynamic forces acting on an object. Lift is the force that acts perpendicular to the direction of fluid
flow, while drag is the force that acts in the direction of fluid flow.
The lift and drag coefficients of a 2D cylinder in transient flow oscillate due to the formation of vortices
behind the cylinder. The vortices are created by the interaction of the fluid flow with the cylinder's
surface. The vortices shed alternately from opposite sides of the cylinder, creating a periodic oscillating
flow pattern. This oscillating flow pattern causes the lift and drag coefficients to oscillate.

The frequency of the lift and drag coefficient oscillations is determined by the Strouhal number, which is
a dimensionless number that depends on the Reynolds number of the flow and the shape of the cylinder.
The Reynolds number is a dimensionless number that is a measure of the ratio of inertial forces to viscous
forces in a fluid flow.

The amplitude of the lift and drag coefficient oscillations is affected by a number of factors, including the
Reynolds number, the shape of the cylinder, and the surface roughness of the cylinder. The amplitude of
the oscillations increases with increasing Reynolds number and surface roughness.
Cd

0.6 Cd

0.5

0.4

0.3
Cd

0.2

0.1

0
0.00 50.00 100.00 150.00 200.00 250.00 300.00
Time (s)

0.535 Cd

0.53

0.525
Cd

0.52

0.515
150.00 155.00 160.00 165.00 170.00 175.00 180.00
Time (s)

t=167−164
3s
Cl

Cl
0.20

0.15

0.10

0.05

0.00
Cl

0.00 50.00 100.00 150.00 200.00 250.00 300.00

-0.05

-0.10

-0.15

-0.20

Time (s)

Cl
0.2

0.15

0.1

0.05

0
Cl

150.00 155.00 160.00 165.00 170.00 175.00 180.00

-0.05

-0.1

-0.15

-0.2

Time (s)
 t=161−167
6s

τ =t
√ g
d
g=9.81 m/ s 2
D=0.1m
t=6

τ =6
√ 9.81
0.1
τ =59.42

Strouhal number

1 1
Str = S =
f CL tr 6 .16

¿ 0.16

Reference drag coefficient and lift coefficient oscillation graphs

Lift coefficient max 0.531 and 0.528

(15 2−1 38)

Oscillation time=
4
¿3s
Lift coefficient max 0.15 and min -0.15

(1 6 2−1 25)
Oscillation time=
6
¿6 s