Need: Wind force as function of frontal area and speed
Need: Wind force as function of frontal area and speed
(OP)
Anyone have a spreadsheet showing the force produced by flat frontal area vs. vehicle speed?
I was trying to explain the effect of the large flat area on the front of a trailer at 70mph to a salesperson (to no avail) and I'd like to just equate it to pounds of force.
Thanks!
I was trying to explain the effect of the large flat area on the front of a trailer at 70mph to a salesperson (to no avail) and I'd like to just equate it to pounds of force.
Thanks!
"If A equals success, then the formula is: A = X + Y + Z, X is work. Y is play. Z is keep your mouth shut."
-- by Albert Einstein





RE: Need: Wind force as function of frontal area and speed
RE: Need: Wind force as function of frontal area and speed
D = 0.5 x Cd x rho x V^2 x A
D = Drag-lb
Cd = Drag Coefficient-2 for low Reynolds numbers-Flat Plate
rho = Air density at STP = 0.002387 Slugs/ft^3
V = velocity-ft/sec
A = Area-ft^2
So the drag from a ft^2 plate at 60 MPH (88 ft/sec) is
D = 0.5 x 2 x 0.002387 x 88^2 x 1 = 18.5 lb.
RE: Need: Wind force as function of frontal area and speed
I can translate that into a percent of vehicle weight and then slope - like going up a hill - which should help explain the effect even better.
"If A equals success, then the formula is: A = X + Y + Z, X is work. Y is play. Z is keep your mouth shut."
-- by Albert Einstein