ME564 Aerodynamics Assignment #1

Due Date: January 31 (Thursday) by 5:00 pm, 2019

[5% mark deduction for late submission]

Problem 1 (Pi Theorem)

The shock wave on a vehicle in supersonic flight cause a component of drag called
supersonic wave drag Dw . Define the wave-drag coefficient as
D
CD , w  w
q S
where S is a suitable reference area for the body. In supersonic flight, the flow is
governed in part by its thermodynamic properties, given by the specific heats at constant
pressure, c p , and at constant volume, cv . Define the ratio   c p / cv . Using Buckingham
Pi theorem, show that
CD , w  f ( M  ,  )
Neglect the influence of friction.

Hint:
 Sec. 5.3, The Pi Theorem, in “Fluid Mechanics” by Frank White
 Let Dw  f (  ,V , c, a , c p , cv ) . Note that there are four fundamental (or basic)
dimensions here: mass, length, time and temperature.

Problem 2 (Dynamic Similarity)

Consider a Lear jet flying at a velocity of 250 m/s at an altitude of 10 km, where the
density and temperature are 0.414 kg/m3 and 223 K, respectively. Consider also a one-
fifth scale model of the Lear jet being tested in a wind tunnel in the laboratory. The
pressure in the test section of the wind tunnel is 1 atm=1.01105 N/m2. Calculate the
necessary velocity, temperature and density of the airflow in the wind-tunnel test section
such that the lift and drag coefficients are the same for the wind-tunnel model and the
actual airplane in flight.

Hint:
 Sec. 5.5, Dynamic Similarity in “Fluid Mechanics” by Frank White
 Assume that   T

Problem 3 (Drag)
Velocity profiles are measured at the upstream end (surface 1) and at the downstream end
(surface 2) of a rectangular control volume, as shown in Figure 3. If the flow is
incompressible, two-dimensional, and steady, calculate the sectional drag coefficient for
the airfoil defined as: