FLUID DYNAMIC DRAG ON VEHICLES TRAVELLING THROUGH TUBES

The document presents the results of an investigation of the fluid dynamic drag force exerted on externally propelled vehicles moving axially through guideways of varying lengths, degrees of enclosure, and percentage of wall perforation area. The conditions differ from most wind or water tunnel studies because the models are moving relative to the tunnel walls and occupy a large percentage of the tunnel cross section. Experimental studies were conducted by measuring the terminal velocity of small scale models falling through transparent, vertical and inclined guide tubes filled with water. The models were cylindrical with an ogive nose and a blunt conical tail. They varied in length from 3 to 36 diameters and occupied between 7 and 93 per cent of the tunnel cross section. Reynolds number based on model terminal velocity and diameter ranged from 3000 to 2,500,000. The experimental results indicated a smooth transition from free environment flow, with little or no wall interference, to fully developed confined flow, with no unusual phenomena or discontinuities occurring.

  • Corporate Authors:

    Carnegie Institute of Technology

    Department of Mechanical Engineering
    Pittsburgh, PA  United States 
  • Authors:
    • Hoppe, R G
    • Gouse, SWJ
  • Publication Date: 1969-8-11

Media Info

  • Pagination: 187 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00039161
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
  • Report/Paper Numbers: CMU-1-59076-1
  • Contract Numbers: DOT-3-1058
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Nov 24 1973 12:00AM