The drag coefficient is a very important phenomenon in engineering. There are lots of kinds of engineering systems in which we use the coefficient of drag. So, we prepared a drag coefficient calculator that you can make your calculations easily. Also, you can find additional information about drag here.
Table of Contents ;
How to Use Drag Coefficient Calculator?
In different aerodynamics calculations, you will probably use the drag coefficient formula commonly. Because it gives direct information about the drag force of your system. Thus, we prepared a coefficient of drag calculator for you. Your aerodynamics calculations will be much easier with this calculator.
Firstly, the use of the coefficient of the drag calculator is very simple. You just need to enter these values to find the coefficient of drag;
- Drag Force: The total force that fluid flow exerts on the body. The unit of the drag force is N or lbf in English units.
- Density: The density of the flowing fluid. The unit of density is kg/m3 or lb/ft3.
- Fluid Velocity: The total velocity of the flowing fluid. The unit of the velocity is m/s or ft/s.
- Area Sees the Fluid Flow: This is the total area that is reflected on the plane where fluid flow comes perpendicular to it. The area unit is m2 or ft2.
If you click on the ‘Calculate!’ button, you will have the coefficient of drag. The drag coefficient is a dimensionless value.
Also, if you want to make further calculations, you can click on the ‘Reset’ button. And then renter the values.
What is this Coefficient?
The drag coefficient is a very important value for aerodynamical and fluid mechanics calculations. This is the real indication of the total drag force on the body which is inside a fluid motion.
Also, there are two elements of drag force; friction drag and pressure drag. The pressure drag is related to the total pressure difference between the wake region of the flow and the pressure in front of the body. This difference creates a drag force.
Furthermore, the friction drag is the drag force caused by the wall friction of the no-slip condition.
So, the drag coefficient comprehends all the parameters of these two drag forces. In the calculator of drag coefficient, we are using this equation;
You can see the all parameters in this coefficient of drag formula. In here;
Fd is the total drag force exerting on the body. With the increasing drag force, the total drag coefficient increases.
p is the density of the fluid. With the increasing density of the fluid, the drag force increases.
V is the velocity of the flowing fluid. With the increasing velocity of the fluid, the drag force increases.
A is the total area reflection. Also with the increasing area, the total drag increases.
In the drag coefficient calculator, we are using this equation.
What are the Applications of Drag Coefficient?
There are different areas where we use drag coefficient calculations and coefficient of drag calculators.
Aerospace
In aerospace applications, the coefficient of drag is very important. In the design of wings of planes, there is a special cross-sectional shape which is called an airfoil. Airfoil shapes of wings are specially designed to decrease the pressure drag force. Engineers are doing this by decreasing the total area of the airfoil and minimizing the wake region.
Above all, the wake region has a tremendous effect on the pressure drag. The wake region is the region where the pressure of the fluid flow is at its lowest. It occurs right after the body. So, if we design bodies to minimize these wake regions, we minimize this pressure difference.
Also, they are trying to obtain the biggest lift force which is the part of the wall friction force. Lift force is the perpendicular portion of the total friction force. So, airfoils need to have a specific area to provide maximum lift forces.
So, airfoils are the best geometric shapes to obtain the maximum lift force and minimum pressure drag coefficients. You can use a drag coefficient calculator for aerospace designs.
Automotive
Unlike aerospace applications, downforces are very important in automotive applications. Engineers are trying to decrease the total drag force in the exterior design of cars. For example, if you take a look at the historical design of automotive external designs, more smooth surfaces are generally used in the latest cars.
These smooth surfaces provide lower drag coefficients and low drag forces because of the pressure.
Also, in sports cars, the use of spoilers is very common. Spoilers provide a downforce. Downforce is very important for the safest drive and comfort. So, if we take a look at the design of spoilers, the cross-section is like the inverse shape of airfoils. It creates a downforce, unlike the wing airfoils.
And also, you can use the drag coefficient calculator in automotive design.
Conclusion
So, drag coefficient calculations and coefficient of drag calculators are very important in different applications of engineering. Thus, you need to use these calculations in automotive, aerospace, marine vehicles, and others.
Also, the calculation of this coefficient is very simple. It has very simple equations and parameters. For instance, the velocity of the fluid flow and the density are very important parameters.
Above all, Mechanicalland does not accept any responsibility for calculations made by users in calculators. A good engineer must check calculations again and again.
Also, You can find out much more calculators like this in Mechanicalland! Take a look at the other engineering calculators available in Mechanicalland!
Finally, do not forget to leave your comments and questions below about the drag coefficient calculator.
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