Problem 7.

56 [Difficulty: 3]
Given: Airship is to operate at 20 m/s in air at standard conditions. A 1/20 scale model is to be tested in a wind tunnel at
the same temperature to determine drag.
Find: (a) Criterion needed to obtain dynamic similarity
(b) Air pressure required if air speed in wind tunnel is 75 m/s
(c) Prototype drag if the drag on the model is 250 N
Solution: Dimensional analysis predicts:
F
V
2
L
2

f
V L

\
|
|
.
=
Therefore, for dynamic similarity, it would follow that:

m
V
m
L
m

p
V
p
L
p

p
=
Since the tests are performed at the same temperature, the viscosities are the same. Solving for the ratio of densities:

p
V
p
V
m
L
p
L
m

p
=
20
75
20 1 = 5.333 =
Now from the ideal gas equation of state:

p
R T
=
Thus:
p
m
p
p

m

T
p
T
m
= p
m
101 kPa 5.333 1 = p
m
5.39 10
5
Pa =
From the force ratios:
F
p

p
V
p
2
L
p
2

F
m

m
V
m
2
L
m
2

=
Thus:
F
p
F
m

p

V
p
V
m
|

\
|
|
.
2

L
p
L
m
|

\
|
|
.
2
=
Substituting known values:
F
p
250 N
1
5.333

20
75
|

\
|
|
.
2
20 ( )
2
= F
p
1.333 kN =