Calculating Drag Coefficients for DC-10 in Cruise

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating drag coefficients for a DC-10 aircraft during cruise flight. Participants explore the application of various formulas and data related to thrust, density, velocity, weight, aspect ratio, Oswald efficiency factor, and wing area. The focus includes both the calculations and potential issues with the data or formulas used.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in calculating drag coefficients and presents specific data and formulas used.
  • Another participant suggests the issue might be related to units and requests to see the calculations for further assistance.
  • A participant questions the validity of the wing area value provided, noting it seems large and expressing a preference for metric units.
  • The original poster shares calculated values for drag coefficients, noting discrepancies between Cdi and CDo, and questions the thrust value's applicability to all three engines.
  • One participant confirms that the thrust value aligns with typical values for three engines and prompts a dimensional analysis to ensure unit consistency.
  • The original poster mentions performing a dimensional analysis but continues to experience issues, questioning the correctness of the formulas and the appropriateness of the Oswald efficiency factor for a DC-10.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correctness of the data, formulas, or calculated values. Multiple competing views regarding the validity of the wing area and thrust values remain, and the discussion is unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the appropriateness of the Oswald efficiency factor and the accuracy of the thrust value. There are also concerns about potential unit conversion issues and the validity of the wing area measurement.

angelwings
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i am having trouble calculating various drag co-efficents for a dc -10 in cruise.

i have found this data:
Thrust: 153000 lb
density: 0.00085 slug/ft
V= 852ft/s
W=580000lb
AR= 7.5
e= .8
S= 3958ft^2
Cl= 0.5

I have also found the formulas
Cd= D/ (density x S x V^2 /2)
Cd= Cdo + ((cl^2) / (pi x AR x e))
Cdi= (cl^2)/ (pi x AR x e)

i have tried these but get odd answers. i need help to know whether my mistake is my data, my formulas or my calculation.
help with graphing this data vs airspeed would also be appriciated
cheers
 
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It appears that you have all the information you need to do the calcs. Perhaps it is a units issue? If you show us what you have we might be able to pinpoint something for you.
 
Is that value for S right?

It looks rather large indeed, but then I'm too snobby to work in imperial units to find out for sure.
 
the answers that i got using these formulas were:
for Cd = 0.125
for Cdi= 0.0137
for CDo = 0.11
as cdi and cdo were so different i thought that there must be a problem.
i was also unsure if the thrust value given was for one engine or for all three. is it an appropriate value for three engines?

-in response to brewnog S= 317 m ^2
 
The thrust value you give is consistent with three engines. 50,000 Lbf sounds about right for a single engine.

Did you do a dimensional analysis to make sure your units were all canceled out?
 
i did a dimensional analysis. but I'm pretty sure that I'm using all the right units. still having problems though. are the formulas correct and is the oswald efficency factor an approptriate value for a DC - 10?
 

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