Drag Coefficient
Any object moving through a fluid experiences drag - the net force in the direction of flow due to pressure and shear stress forces on the surface of the object.
The drag force can be expressed as:
Fd = cd 1/2 ρ v2 A (1)
where
Fd = drag force (N)
cd = drag coefficient
ρ = density of fluid (1.2 kg/m3 for air at NTP)
v = flow velocity (m/s)
A = characteristic frontal area of the body (m2)
The drag coefficient is a function of several parameters like shape of the body, Reynolds Number for the flow, Froude number, Mach Number and Roughness of the Surface.
The characteristic frontal area - A - depends on the body.
Objects drag coefficients are mostly results of experiments. The drag coefficients for some common bodies are indicated below:
Type of Object | Drag Coefficient - cd - | Frontal Area |
---|---|---|
Laminar flat plate (Re=106) | 0.001 | |
Dolphin | 0.0036 | wetted area |
Turbulent flat plate (Re=106) | 0.005 | |
Subsonic Transport Aircraft | 0.012 | |
Supersonic Fighter,M=2.5 | 0.016 | |
Streamlined body | 0.04 | π / 4 d2 |
Airplane wing, normal position | 0.05 | |
Sreamlined half-body | 0.09 | |
Long stream-lined body | 0.1 | |
Bicycle - Streamlined Velomobile | 0.12 | 5 ft2 (0.47 m2) |
Airplane wing, stalled | 0.15 | |
Modern car like a Tesla model 3 or model Y | 0.23 | |
Toyota Prius, Tesla model S | 0.24 | frontal area |
Tesla model X | ||
Sports car, sloping rear | 0.2 - 0.3 | frontal area |
Common car like Opel Vectra (class C) | 0.29 | frontal area |
Hollow semi-sphere facing stream | 0.38 | |
Bird | 0.4 | frontal area |
Solid Hemisphere | 0.42 | π / 4 d2 |
Sphere | 0.5 | |
Saloon Car, stepped rear | 0.4 - 0.5 | frontal area |
Bike - Drafting behind an other cyclist | 0.5 | 3.9 ft2 (0.36 m2) |
Convertible, open top | 0.6 - 0.7 | frontal area |
Bus | 0.6 - 0.8 | frontal area |
Old Car like a T-ford | 0.7 - 0.9 | frontal area |
Cube | 0.8 | s2 |
Bike - Racing | 0.88 | 3.9 ft2 (0.36 m2) |
Bicycle | 0.9 | |
Tractor Trailed Truck | 0.96 | frontal area |
Truck | 0.8 - 1.0 | frontal area |
Person standing | 1.0 – 1.3 | |
Bike - Upright Commuter | 1.1 | 5.5 ft2 (0.51 m2) |
Thin Disk | 1.1 | π / 4 d2 |
Solid Hemisphere flow normal to flat side | 1.17 | π / 4 d2 |
Squared flat plate at 90 deg | 1.17 | |
Wires and cables | 1.0 - 1.3 | |
Person (upright position) | 1.0 - 1.3 | |
Hollow semi-cylinder opposite stream | 1.2 | |
Ski jumper | 1.2 - 1.3 | |
Hollow semi-sphere opposite stream | 1.42 | |
Passenger Train | 1.8 | frontal area |
Motorcycle and rider | 1.8 | frontal area |
Long flat plate at 90 deg | 1.98 | |
Rectangular box | 2.1 |
Example - Air Resistance Force acting on a Normal Car
The force required to overcome air resistance for a normal family car with drag coefficient 0.29 and frontal area 2 m2 in 90 km/h can be calculated as:
Fd = 0.29 1/2 (1.2 kg/m3) ((90 km/h) (1000 m/km) / (3600 s/h))2 (2 m2)
= 217.5 N
- compare car air resistance with car rolling resistance
The work done to overcome the air resistance in one hour driving (90 km) can be calculated as
Wd = (217.5 N) (90 km) (1000 m/km)
= 19575000 (Nm, J)
The power required to overcome the air resistance when driving 90 km/h can be calculated as
Pd = (217.5 N) (90 km/h) (1000 m/km) (1/3600 h/s)
= 5436 (Nm/s, J/s, W)
= 5.4 (kW)
Related Topics
• Fluid Mechanics
The study of fluids - liquids and gases. Involving velocity, pressure, density and temperature as functions of space and time.
Related Documents
Car - Required Power and Torque
Power, torque, efficiency and wheel force acting on a car.
Car Fuel Consumption - liter/100 km
Calculate fuel consumption in liter per km - consumption chart and calculator.
Cars - New vs. Old Car Cost Calculator
Calculate and compare the costs between owning a new vs. an old car.
Driving Distances between European Cities
Driving distance between some major European cities.
Friction - Friction Coefficients and Calculator
Friction theory with calculator and friction coefficients for combinations of materials like ice, aluminum, steel, graphite and many more.
Froude Number
Introduction to the Froude Number.
Fuel Consumption - mpg
Calculate fuel consumption in miles per gallon - mpg - calculator and consumption charts.
Liquids - Kinematic Viscosities
Kinematic viscosities of some common liquids like motor oil, diesel fuel, peanut oil and many more.
Piston Engines - Compression Ratios
Cylinder volume and compression ratios in piston engines.
Piston Engines - Displacement
Calculate piston engine displacement.
Rolling Resistance
Rolling friction and rolling resistance.
Target - Volume Flow Meters
Introduction to the target flow meters principles.
Vehicle - Distance Traveled vs. Velcocity and Time Used (mph)
Speed (mph) and time (hours) and distance traveled (miles) chart.
Vehicle - Distance Traveled vs. Velocity and Time (km/h)
Speed (km/h) vs. time (hours) and distance traveled (km).
Viscosity - Converting Chart
Convert between viscosity units like Centiposes, milliPascal, CentiStokes and SSU.
Wind Load vs. Wind Speed
Wind load on surface - Wind load calculator.