1.1 Aerodynamics, What for?
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Table 1.2 Drag coefficient of land vehicles
Frontal area S
(m 2 )
C D
S × C D (m 2 )
Sedan car
1.8
0.30
0.54
Minivan
2.6
0.50
1.30
Trailer
9.0
0.90
8.10
Formula 1
1.6
0.90
1.44
Moto–bike
0.7
0.90
0.63
Cyclist
0.5
1.00
0.50
(a) Dissipated power
(b) Percentage of the dissipated power
Fig. 1.4 Power dissipated by an automobile rolling at constant velocity on an horizontal road
resistance force leads to careful consideration of the aerodynamics of trains and
identification of the main sources of drag, for example from the front carriage, bogies,
spaces between cars, pantograph, etc. Figure 1.5 shows a comparison of the running
resistance of high-speed trains with that of a conventional Corail train (which of
course does not travel at 300 km/h); the lower resistance is achieved by a more
careful aerodynamic design.
In general, aerodynamics is perceived as a science where the movement of gaseous
fluids is studied. It is of interest to a diverse range of other fields such as ventilation
and air conditioning (we speak of aeraulics), weather forecasting, buildings and
structures in civil engineering applications (see Fig. 1.6), metal casting and various
industrial processes in manufacturing; but not limited to biomedical applications,
cardiac-vascular, and resuscitation.
In the field of propulsion and energy production (combustion engines for cars,
jet engines for aircraft, turbogenerators for thermal power plants, wind turbines),
aerodynamics also plays a key role and in some machines implementing fluids that
can reach supersonic speeds.
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Table 1.2 Drag coefficient of land vehicles
Frontal area S
(m 2 )
C D
S × C D (m 2 )
Sedan car
1.8
0.30
0.54
Minivan
2.6
0.50
1.30
Trailer
9.0
0.90
8.10
Formula 1
1.6
0.90
1.44
Moto–bike
0.7
0.90
0.63
Cyclist
0.5
1.00
0.50
(a) Dissipated power
(b) Percentage of the dissipated power
Fig. 1.4 Power dissipated by an automobile rolling at constant velocity on an horizontal road
resistance force leads to careful consideration of the aerodynamics of trains and
identification of the main sources of drag, for example from the front carriage, bogies,
spaces between cars, pantograph, etc. Figure 1.5 shows a comparison of the running
resistance of high-speed trains with that of a conventional Corail train (which of
course does not travel at 300 km/h); the lower resistance is achieved by a more
careful aerodynamic design.
In general, aerodynamics is perceived as a science where the movement of gaseous
fluids is studied. It is of interest to a diverse range of other fields such as ventilation
and air conditioning (we speak of aeraulics), weather forecasting, buildings and
structures in civil engineering applications (see Fig. 1.6), metal casting and various
industrial processes in manufacturing; but not limited to biomedical applications,
cardiac-vascular, and resuscitation.
In the field of propulsion and energy production (combustion engines for cars,
jet engines for aircraft, turbogenerators for thermal power plants, wind turbines),
aerodynamics also plays a key role and in some machines implementing fluids that
can reach supersonic speeds.