Calculating drag coefficient for complex shape

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the aerodynamic drag coefficient for complex 3D shapes using virtual methods. The participants initially attempted to use the Bullet Physics engine, which does not support air resistance calculations for meshes. They explored various complex formulas and physics emulators but found them inadequate for their project. The recommended approach is to utilize Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for accurate simulations, although wind tunnel testing is suggested for turbulent flow scenarios.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
  • Familiarity with aerodynamic principles and drag coefficients
  • Knowledge of 3D modeling and mesh generation
  • Basic programming skills for implementing simulations
NEXT STEPS
  • Research CFD software options such as ANSYS Fluent or OpenFOAM
  • Learn about wind tunnel testing methodologies for aerodynamic analysis
  • Explore mesh generation techniques for complex geometries
  • Study turbulent flow dynamics and their impact on drag coefficients
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for students in engineering and computer science, aerodynamicists, and anyone involved in virtual simulations of fluid dynamics and aerodynamics.

tswanson4444
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Me and a friend at school are doing an honors project for a Computer Science class. We're trying to find the aerodynamic drag coefficient of complicated 3D Shapes entirely virtual. We started out the project with a specific physics engine in mind. It turned out this engine "Bullet Physics" doesn't calculate air resistance for meshes. We've been looking online and asking around but it seems that we only come by really complex formulas that work in specific cases only or physics emulators that wouldn't do the job.

TLDR:: Does anyone have any ideas on how to calculate the aerodynamics of complex shapes?
 
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tswanson4444 said:
Me and a friend at school are doing an honors project for a Computer Science class. We're trying to find the aerodynamic drag coefficient of complicated 3D Shapes entirely virtual. We started out the project with a specific physics engine in mind. It turned out this engine "Bullet Physics" doesn't calculate air resistance for meshes. We've been looking online and asking around but it seems that we only come by really complex formulas that work in specific cases only or physics emulators that wouldn't do the job.

TLDR:: Does anyone have any ideas on how to calculate the aerodynamics of complex shapes?
Yeah, but most of these codes run on supercomputers. What you are talking about is called computational fluid dynamics (CFD):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computational_fluid_dynamics

CFD works well for certain kinds of problems, but a lot of situations involving turbulent flow are solved more easily by testing models in a wind tunnel.
 

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