TITLE

: DRAG FORCE IN FLOW OVER A BODY

OBJECTIVE :
To measure the drag coefficient

, over a range of velocities in the test section for

hemispherical (open end facing and open end facing down stream).
THEORY

: Drag coefficient

cD

1 / 2 V 2 D

V D

f
2

APPARATUS :
Wind tunnel and accessories

Figure 1: Wind Tunnel

PROCEDURE :
1. Measure the diameter of the hemisphere.
2. Fit the hemisphere body to the balance arm, open end facing flow first and then
open end facing down stream.
3. Balance the arm and switch on the blower fan and to flow velocity of 8 m/s.
4. Balance the arm again and note the reading. Increase the velocity for a few
steps, balance the arm and not the reading.
5. Lastly take the temperature room and pressure.

RESULT

air 1.230kg / m 3

1.834 x10 5

Temperature room = 23.5 0 c

Pressure air = 1.050 bar
Diameter = 0.06 m
Sample of calculation:
For drag coefficient data table1;

1 / 2 V 2 D

=
2 (0.1)___ = 0.705736
(1.23)(82)(0.062)

Reynolds Number data table 1;

Re = UD

=(1.23)(8)(0.06) = 34874.59
(1.834x10-5)

1. Rod without hemisphere

velocity (m/s)
smallest weight (N)
large weight (N)
total weight (N)

0
0.237
0.237

8
0.29

10
0.3

12
0.32

14
0.33

16
0.35

18
0.37

0.29

0.3

0.32

0.33

0.35

0.37

Table 1: Take from experiment

2. Open end hemisphere

velocity (m/s) u
smallest weight (N)
large weight (N)
total weight (N)

0
0.22

8
0.39

0.22

0.39

10
0.04
0.5
0.54

12
0.2
0.5
0.7

14
0.38
0.5
0.88

16
0.06
1
1.06

18
0.3
1
1.3

Table 2:Take from experiment

Velocity (m/s) Dragcup

0
8
10
12
14
16
18

0.22
0.39
0.54
0.7
0.88
1.06
1.3

FD=Dragcup Dragno cup

Dragno cup
Re
0.237
0.037
0
0.29
0.1 34874.59
0.3
0.24 43593.24
0.32
0.38 52311.89
0.33
0.55 61030.53
0.35
0.71 69749.18
0.37
78467.83
0.93
Table 2.1:Drag coefficient

Graph 1:Drag coefficient vs Reynold number

3.

Close

end

hemisphere

Cd
0
0.705736
1.084011
1.19191
1.267445
1.252682
1.296464

velocity (m/s)
smallest weight (N)
large weight (N)
total weight (N)

0
0.24
0.24

8
0.34

10
0.378

12
0.43

14
0.49

0.34

0.378

0.43

0.49

16
0.05
0.5
0.55

18
0.13
0.5
0.63

Table 3:Take from experiment

Velocity (m/s) Dragcup

0
8
10
12
14
16
18

Dragno cup
0.24
0.34
0.378
0.43
0.49
0.55
0.63

0.237
0.29
0.3
0.32
0.33
0.35
0.37
Table 3.1:Drag coefficient

FD=Dragcup
- Dragno cup
0.003
0.05
0.078
0.11
0.16
0.2
0.26

Re

Cd

0
34874.59
43593.24
52311.89
61030.53
69749.18

0
0.352868
0.352304
0.345027
0.368711
0.352868

78467.83

0.362452

Graph 2: Drag coefficient vs reynold numbe

4. net drag coefficient
Drag open end hemisphere drag close end hemispehere = net drag coefficient

Drag open end hemisphere

Drag close end hemisphere

Net drag coefficient

reynold
number

0
0.705736

0
0.352868

0
0.352868

0
34874.59

1.084011

0.352304

0.731707

43593.24

1.19191

0.345027

0.846883

52311.89

1.267445

0.368711

0.898734

61030.53

1.252682

0.352868

0.899814

69749.18

1.296464

0.362452

0.934012

78467.83

Table 4: Net drag cofficient

Graph 3: Net drag coefficient vs reynold number

DISCUSSION :
From graphs that have been plotted, it can be seen that the values of coefficient of drag
(CD) are decrease as the Reynolds numbers (Re) increased. From the figure 2, that is the hollow

hemisphere shape where the flow is attack to the rear of the bowl. As a result, the drag values are
increased from 0.085 to 0.50. Its make the value of drag coefficient inconsistent means
sometimes decreased and sometime increased but it still on the good rate between 0.481 to 0.510.
Drag coefficient is still on the line because from the reference values (theory), the value of drag
coefficient is 0.38 and from our experiment it has been approved that the average for this value is
0.491.As we know the value for Reynolds numbers from the theoretical is 10 4 , and its truly
approved with our experimental value as we can read from the data 1.
It still about the hollow hemisphere shape but the different is the flow is attack to the
front of the bowl. We have obtained a good result without any error. We have achieve the good
result for drag coefficient value that is 1.376.The theoretical value for hollow hemisphere shape
is 1.42.hte experimental value is almost the same with theoretical value.
Now, we go to other shape. Its called streamlined body. You can refer to the figure 4.for this
experiment; we not achieve the theoretical value because they have an error with this shape. The
shape is not really stable, so it makes the system inconsistent. The theoretical value for this
experiment actually is 0.04, but we only get a big value that is 0.496. These values are different
from the values obtained from experiment due to some errors from the experiment. Among the
errors that have been identified is firstly the parallax error that occurred when the height of
manometer is taken. Besides it is hard to place the arm indicator in the correct position because
the air flow is not constant all the time.

CONCLUSION:
It can be concluded that this experiment achieved its objectives. For hollow hemisphere
shape object (from rear bowl) the maximum drag force obtained is 0.5N while for hollow
hemisphere shape object (from front bowl) the maximum drag force is 1.465N.Than,for the
streamlined body, the maximum drag force is 0.3. The drag coefficients have been calculated
according to respective Reynolds numbers. The obtain values of the drag coefficient has been
calculated respect to their Reynolds number. As conclusion, the drag coefficient depends on the
shape of the object and the Reynolds number. The more blunt the body, the larger the drag
coefficient and produce drag coefficient that are relatively constant.

REFERENCES:
1. Bruce R. Munson, Donald F. Young, Theodore H. Okiishi, Fundementals of Fluid
Mechanics, John Willey and Sons, Asia, 2006.
2. Yunus A.Cengel, Michael A.Boles, Thermodynamics An Engineering Approach,fifth
edition in SI units.