Question on the calculation of lift coefficient

mbt · February 26, 2010, 05:31

Hi all. The lift coefficient (also drag coefficient) is defined in the form of $C_L=\dfrac{F}{0.5\rho U^2A}$. And my question is in the post-processing step to calculate these coefficients, $A$ should be the sum of the areas of all mesh interfaces related to viscous wall, or it is a pre-defined valued given by the experiments. Many thanks.

f-w · February 26, 2010, 12:33

It's a defined reference area, depends on the experiment, but there are some common ones (like projected wing area). What you described is wetted area, which is also used at times.

mbt · February 27, 2010, 08:51

Many thanks for your reply. I found that in some test cases $A$ is provided as reference value, maybe some type of projected area.

February 26, 2010, 05:31	Question on the calculation of lift coefficient	#1
mbt New Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 16	Hi all. The lift coefficient (also drag coefficient) is defined in the form of $C_L=\dfrac{F}{0.5\rho U^2A}$. And my question is in the post-processing step to calculate these coefficients, $A$ should be the sum of the areas of all mesh interfaces related to viscous wall, or it is a pre-defined valued given by the experiments. Many thanks.

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February 26, 2010, 12:33		#2
f-w Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 159 Rep Power: 17	It's a defined reference area, depends on the experiment, but there are some common ones (like projected wing area). What you described is wetted area, which is also used at times.

February 27, 2010, 08:51		#3
mbt New Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 16	Many thanks for your reply. I found that in some test cases $A$ is provided as reference value, maybe some type of projected area.