Calculate pressure from vehicle moving through air

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the air pressure exerted on a vehicle moving through air, specifically a car weighing 1815 kg traveling at 90 kph with a flat one square meter grill. Participants recommend using the concept of stagnation pressure for a rough estimate, as it applies to any moving fluid and provides a straightforward calculation for pressure against a flat surface. The drag equation is mentioned, but it is noted that for a flat plate, stagnation pressure is more relevant. For more accurate results, stagnation flow can be considered, which involves integrating the pressure distribution over the surface area.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts such as force, pressure, and drag.
  • Familiarity with the formula for stagnation pressure.
  • Knowledge of drag coefficients and their application to flat surfaces.
  • Basic calculus for integrating pressure distributions (for advanced estimates).
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the formula for calculating stagnation pressure in fluid dynamics.
  • Learn about drag coefficients specific to flat plates and their implications on pressure calculations.
  • Explore the concept of stagnation flow and its application in estimating pressure on surfaces.
  • Investigate how varying speeds affect drag and pressure on vehicles.
USEFUL FOR

Automotive engineers, physicists, and anyone involved in aerodynamics or vehicle design seeking to understand the impact of air pressure on moving vehicles.

Cbrown92
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Alright, I've been looking everywhere, and tried to use a few formulas but they don't answer what I'm trying to find. Let's say I have a car that weighs 1815kg )4000 pounds) and its traveling at 90kph (roughly 56 mph) with a flat one square meter (10.76 sq ft.) grill facing the wind as it travels. What is the air pressure (In pascals and psi) I can expect to generate against the vehicle as it moves? Though providing me the answer in Newtons wouldn't hurt either.Also, the vehicle is moving at a constant rate assuming a flat road surface. I'm trying to invent a new kind of engine based on relatively low air pressures
 
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What formulae did you try? It's not to hard to find one.
 
I tried F=MA in relation to P=F/A but the vehicle isn't accelerating, its moving at a constant rate. Unless I'm confused about the definition of acceleration itself? Is there anything I'm missing?
 
You need to look at drag equations...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drag_(physics)

eg..

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If the front is flat, he doesn't even need to concern himself with the drag equation. He can get a good enough estimate just using the concept of stagnation pressure.

So, in short, just look up "stagnation pressure."

You might also look up "stagnation flow" if you want a more accurate estimate. That would require an integral of the pressure distribution over your flat surface, but that's pretty trivial.
 
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Sorry for having taken so long to reply, but if I use a drag coefficient, that accounts for the drag in its entirety not a specific sectional area. Stagnation pressure, from what I understand applies to pressure in pipes. I guess what I'm trying to find out is the amount of drag on that single plate of which measures 1sq meter in area at speed, and then how to transition that into pressure and calculate for higher and lower speeds. Think of something about the shape of a Cadillac grille in the front (Similar size even) while ignoring the drag/pressure on the windshield, sides of the car, etc.
 
Stagnation pressure applies to any moving fluid, not just pipes. I wouldn't have suggested it if it didn't make sense to use it. Stagnation pressure is just the pressure that results from isentropically slowing the flow to zero velocity. Just calculating the stagnation pressure at the front of a car moving a given speed is going to be a rough estimate of the pressure on the given size of plate. If you want a better estimate, then like I said before, stagnation flow would give you a more accurate estimate.
 
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Sorry for having taken so long to reply, but if I use a drag coefficient, that accounts for the drag in its entirety not a specific sectional area.

Not sure what you mean but I was proposing to use the drag coefficient for a flat plate not the whole car (I agree that using the drag coefficient for a flat plate would probably give an over estimate).