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NASA
P

TN D-455
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Z

TECHNICAL NOTE
D-455

I
EFFECT

OF

I_EYNOLDS

DISTRIBUTION

NUMBER

CHARACTERISTICS
LIFTING

By

Vernard

E.

WASHINGTON
i

AERONAUTICS

FORCE

Field,

AND

AND

PRESSURE

A TWO-DIMENSIONAL

CYLINDER

and Linwood

Research

Langley

THE
OF

CIRCULAR

Lockwood

Langley

NATIONAL

ON

W.

McKinney

Center
Va.

SPACE

ADMINISTRATION
Septembe

r 1960
I

Z
NATIONAL

AERONAUTICS

AND

TECHNICAL

_FECT

OF

RETNOLDS

DISTRIBUTION

By

Vernard

NOTE

NUMBER

ON

CHARACTERISTICS
LIFTING
E.

SPACE

CIRCULAR

Lockwood

and

ADMINISTRATION

D-455

THE
OF

FORCE

AND

PRESSURE

A TWO-DIMENSIONAL

CYLINDER
Linwood

W.

McKinney

SUMMARY

Mach

A two-dimensional
number
range from

lifting
circular
cylinder
has been tested
0.011 to 0.32 and a Reynolds
number
range

over
from

135,000
to 1,580,000
to determine
the force and pressure
distribution
characteristics.
Two flaps having
chords
of 0.37 and 6 percent
of the
cylinder
diameter_
respectively,
used to generate
lift.
A third
180 apart was also investigated.
of angular
positions.
The
cylinder
without
flaps.

for

and attached
configuration
All flaps

investigation

also

normal
to the surface
were
which had 6-percent
flaps
were tested
through
a range
included

tests

of

a plain

The lift coefficient

showed
a wide variation
with Reynolds
number
the 6-percent
flap mounted
on the bottom
surface
at the 50-percent-

diameter
station,
varying
from a low of about 0.2 at a Reynolds
number
of lo5,000
to a high of 1.54 at a Reynolds
number
of 350,000
and then
decreasing
almost
linearly
to a value of 1.0 at a Reynolds
number
of
1,580_000.
The pressure
distribution
showed
that the loss of lift with
Reynolds
number
above the critical
was the result
of the separation
point
moving
forward
on the upper
surface.
Pressure
distributions
on a plain
cylinder
also showed
similar
trends
with respect
to the separation
point.
The variation
of drag coefficient
contrast
to the lift coefficient
with
0.0 occurring
at a Reynolds
number
of
drag ratios
were a maximum
at a value

with Reynolds
number
was in direct
the minimum
drag coefficient
of
360,000.
At this point the liftof 2.54.

Tests of a flap with a chord of 0.0037

diameter
gave a lift coefficient of 0.85 at a Reynolds
number
of 520_000
with the same lift-drag
ratio
as the larger
flap but the position
of the flap for maximum
lift
was considerably
farther
forward
than on the larger
flap.
Tests
of two
0-percent
flaps
spaced
180 apart showed
a change
in the sign of the lift
developed
for angular
positions
of the flap greater
than 132 at subcritical Reynolds
craft using
when normal
developed

by

nt_bers.
These results
may find use in application
forebody
strakes.
The drag coefficient
developed
by
to the relative
airstream
was approximately
equal to
a

flat

plate

in

a similar

attitude.

to airthe flaps
that

INTRODUCTION
At the present time investigations are being madeby various agencies
to provide information on possible methods oI recovering rocket boosters.
One such investigation by the National Aeron_utics and Space Administration
is concerned with the generation of lift on E_body of revolution moving
with its axis normal to the flight direction.
In this method the lift
is
generated over the length of a body by the deflection of a small flap on
the bottom surface. A recent investigation (ref. i) on a circular cylinder
of fineness ratio i0 has shownthat relatively high lift
coefficients can
be obtained in this manner. The data of reference i showvery large
losses of lift
coefficient for Machnumbers above 0.3. It is possible
that the loss of lift at the higher Machnumbers may in part be a Reynolds
number effect since Machnumber and Reynolds numberwere not independently
varied during the test.
It was shown in reference i that the drag of a
plain cylinder increased with Reynolds number above the critical
for low
subsonic Machnumbers; therefore, it is reasonable to assumethat the
lift
coefficient may also be affected by Reynolds number. The purpose
of this investigation was therefore to determine the effect of Reynolds
number on the lifting
characteristics
of a circular cylinder in the Mach
number range where compressibility effects are small.
The investigation was madeon a two-dimEnsional circular cylinder
over a range of Reynolds numbers from 135,00( to 1,580,000 based on
cylinder diameter. The lift and drag forces on the cylinder were measured and, in addition, pressure distribution_ were obtained as an aid
in understanding Reynolds number effects.
D_ta were obtained on two
different sizes of flaps located on the lowe_ surface at the 50-percent
streamwise position; other flap locations were also studied. For comparative purposes data were also obtained on a plain cylinder (without
flaps).
In addition to these tests, tests w_re also madeof a configuration which had flaps 180 apart. These da_a may have application to
airplane configurations using forebody strakcs.
SYMBOLS

in

The data
figure
i.

are

flap

cd

section

presented

with

respect

to the

wind

axes

chord

dra(] coefficient,

Drag

par

unit
dL_v2
2

length

as

indicated

L
9
3
6

Lift
cI

section

lift

cm

section
pitching-moment
Pitching
moment
per

per

unit

length

coefficient,
d_Pv2
2
coefficient
unit length

about

cylinder

axes,

d22_V2
Pl
Cp

pressure

P_V2
2

9
3

-P

coefficient,

cylinder

Mach

free-stream

Pl

local

Reynolds

free-stream

air

velocity

free-stream

air

density

flap

diameter

number
static

static

pressure

on

cylinder

number

angular

edge

pressure

down,

position

relative

to

wind,

positive

from

trailing

deg

radial
angle relative
to wind, measured
(either
upper or lower surface),
deg

from

leading

edge

Subscript:
max

maximum

MODELS

AND

EQUIPMENT

The cylinder
used in the investigation
had a diameter
of 8.34 inches
and completely
spanned
the test section
of the Langley
300-MPH
7- by
lO-foot
tunnel
as shown
in the diagram
of figure
i.
The cylinder
was
constructed
of mahogany
and lacquered
to produce
a smooth
finish.
In
order
to minimize
any effects
which might be caused
by air leakage
through
the small clearance
gaps where
the cylinder
passed
through
the floor and

ceiling_
the cylinder
was equipped
with end plates
to prevent
spanwise
flow.
The standard
mechanical
balance
system
of the tunnel
was used to
measure
the lift and drag.
Tile flaps used in the investigation
are illustrated
in figure
i.
The smallest
flap was made of a strip of met_l 1/32 inch by i/8 inch
and when attached
to the bottom
surface
had a chord of 0.0037
cylinder
diameter.
The larger
flap which was made of i/2-inch
by I/2-inch
angle
had a chord of 0.06 diameter.
(These
flaps lereafter
will be referred
to as the
the angle

0.37-percent
and O-percent
fl_p, respectively.)
used for attaching
the larger
flap was placed

direction.
A third flap
L/2-inch
angles
attached
sunk wood
screws.
One set
tubes
spaced
were recorded

confign_ration
i_0 apart.

made

cylinder.
for these

side of
downstream

midspan
with
The pressures

CONDITIONS

most of" the tests

in the investigation
the dynamic
pressure
constant
and the flap position
5
_as varied
by rotating
the
through
an angular
range.
For the lemainder
of the test the
held fixed at
5 = 90o
(see fig. i) while
the dynamic
pressure

was varied.
of Re,molds
diameter
of
were

The
the

up of two i/2-inch
by
were attached
by counter-

of pressure
orifices
was instalZed
near the
approximately
15 apart around
the surface.
on film from an alcohol
manome_ er board.

TEST

For
was held
cylinder
flap was

was made
All flaps

in

at

This variation
of dynamic
presstre
corresponded
numbers
from 135,000
to 1,580,00( , based on the
0.695 foot.
The flow turbulence
factor
was i.
Mach

numbers

well

below

the

The approximate
variation
of
tests
is shown in figure
2.

RESULTS

AND

crit ical
Reynolds

Mach

number

number

with

to a range
cylinder
All tests
for
Mach

the
number

DISCUSSICN

The lift and drag characteristics

of the various
flap configurations
studied
in this investigation
are presented
in figures
5 to 7.
Pressure
distributions
which
correspond
to some of the data points
of figures
_ to
t are presented
in figmres
8 to 13.
Pitching-moment
data are not presented.
An approximation
to the pitching-moment
coefficient
can be
obtained
from the equation

Cm

= 7
i Acp

9
3
6

where
_Cp
is the pressure-coefficient
and downstream
side of the flap.

Lifting

difference

between

the

upstream

Flaps

Effect
of Reynolds
number.The effect
of Reynolds
number
on the
aerodynamic
characteristics
of the cylinder
with the 6-percent
flap
(b = 90o ) is shown in figure
3.
The lift coefficient
shows a large
L

9
3
6

variation
with Reynolds
number
subcritical
Reynolds
number
of
was
mum

obtained
c_

increased,
c_

while

of

= 1.0

1.54
the

at

lift
R

just

was

above

over the
165,000,
the

obtained.

transition

As

coefficient

= 1,580,000,

complete
range tested.
a
cz
of approximately

the

decreased
the

limit

range

Reynolds

of

the

(R = 350,000)

number

almost

At the
0.2

was

linearly

a maxi-

further
to

a value

of

tests.

The lift data of figure

3 are replotted
in figure
4 along with
some
selected
pressure
diagrams
for both the plain
cylinder
(nonlifting)
and
the lifting
cylinder
to indicate
the type of pressure
distributions
associated
with the lift generation.
The plain-cylinder
pressure
distribution for a Reynolds
number
of 190,000
was obtained
from reference
2.
It
is apparent
from the pressure
diagrams
of figures
4 and 8 that the presence of the 6-percent
flap (b = 90o ) causes
an appreciable
alteration
of
the pressure
distribution.
On the lower surface
the negative
pressure
loop of the basic
cylinder
is almost
completely
destroyed.
On the upper
surface
the pressure
coefficients
show a material
gain over that of the
basic
cylinder
as a result
of the circulation
established
by the flap.
In addition
to the effects
noted on the upper and lower surface_
the
circulation
also produced
a considerable
increase
in the negative
pressure coefficients
over the rear of the cylinder
which results
in a considerable
increase
in drag coefficient.
(See fig. 3.)
A further
study of figures
4 and 8 shows
in lift coefficient
with increase
in Reynolds

the cause of the

number
mentioned

decrease
previously.

These
data show that, as the Reynolds
number
is increased
above 426,000,
the separation
point
in general
moves
forward
on the upper
surface
(about 40 in the range of Reynolds
numbers
from 426,000
to 1,308,000).
This forward
movement
of the separation
point reduces
the area affected
by the
numbers
of the

high negative
pressures.
Also noted
in this
is a decrease
in the peak negative
pressure
separation
point.

The

forward

movement

of

the

separation

point

range of Reynolds
coefficient
ahead

and

the

reduction

of

the peak pressure

coefficient
with increased
Reynolds
number
may also
be observed
in the plain
cylinder
data of figures
4 and 9 for Reynolds
numbers
greater
than 950,000.
The reduction
of peak pressures
on the

The negative
lift shown in figure
7 for the subcritical
Reynolds
number
(190,000)
for values
of
8 > 130
apoears
to be associated
with
laminar
separation
on the top surface
and a turbulent
reattachment
on
the bottom
surface.
On the top surface
the typical
subcritical
Reynolds
number
pressure
distribution
is indicated
in figure
13(a) with
separation
over more than half of the upper
surface.
On the lower surface
the pressure shows a pattern
similar
to that for the supercritical
Reynolds
number in that the negative
pressure
coefficient
increases
behind
the flap.
Evidently,
the turbulent
flow from the flap
and the turbulent
boundary
layer allows
the
to occur farther
back on the cylinder.
The
flow

produces
The

two

the

negative

flaps

lift

180 apart

reattaches
to the cylinder
lower surface
separation
point
asymmetry
of the resulting

force.

(see

fig.

7) _ay

also

be

considered

as

9
3
6

drag-producing
device
in which
case the cylinder
fitted
with flaps
(c/d = 0.00) has nearly
as high a maximum
drag coefficient
at a Reynolds
number
of 520,000
as a flat plate normal
to the airstream.
At
6 = 90o
the flaps with separated
flow behind
gave a drag coefficient
of 1.8 which
is close to the value of 1.98 quoted
in reference
5 for a two-dimensional
flat

plate.

The

drag coefficient
Reynolds
number

value

of

c d = 1.8

SUMMARY

low-speed

investigation

circular
cylinder
over
to determine
the force
results
are summarized
i.
o-percent

The

critical

flap

represents

when compared
with that of
of 520,000.
(See fig. 3.)

has

90o

number
was

sixfold

plain

increase

cylinder

at

been

mad_

on

for

th_

approximately

a two-dimensional

lifting

lifting

cylinder

with

deflected

with Reynolds
of 165_000
to
almost
the 6-

-20.

3. The drag coefficient

of the 6-percelt
linearly
from a minimum
of 0.o at a Reynold_
mum of 0.9 at a Reynolds
number
of 1,580,000.

a low

350,000.

a high of 1.54 :_t a Reynolds

number
of 350_(_00 and then decreased
linearly
to a w_lue of 1.0 at a Reynolds
nu_iber of 1,580,000
for
flap

the

from 135,000
to 1,580,000
characteristics.
The

2. 'i_nelift coefficient
which
showed
a wide variation
nmllber varied
from a low of about 0.2 at a Iieynolds number

percent

in
a

R_ULT[

a Reynolds
number
range
and pressure
distribution
as follows:

Reynolds

deflected

OF

the

4. The lift-drag
ratio
of 0.15 at subcritical

flap configuration
number
of 350,000

for a 0-percent
flap
Reynolds
numbers
to

deflected
a maximum

varied
to a maxi-

90 varied
of 2.54 at

from
the

2Z

beginning
Reynolds

of the
number.

supercritical

range.

It then

decreased

with

increasing

5. The pressure
distributions
for the 6-percent
flap configuration
showed
that the loss of lift with Reynolds
number
was the result
of the
separation
point moving
forward
on the upper
surface.
Pressure
distributions over a plain
cylinder
the separation
point.

also

showed

similar

trends

with

respect

to

6. Tests of a 0.37-percent
flap gave a lift coefficient
of 0.85 at
a Reynolds
number
of 520,000
with the same lift-drag
ratio as the larger
flap but the position
of the flap for maximum
lift was considerably
farther
forward
than on the larger
flap.
7. Tests of two 6-percent
flaps spaced
180
in the sign of the lift developed
for positions
132 at subcritical
Reynolds
number.
The drag
the flaps when normal
to the relative
airstream
to that developed
by a flat plate
in a similar

Langley

Research

apart showed
a change
of the flap greater
than
coefficient
developed
by
was approximately
equal
attitude.

Center,

National
Aeronautics
Langley
Field,

and
Va.,

Space Administration,
June I, 19GO.

REFERENCES

i.

Lockwood,
Vernard
E., and McKinney,
Linwood
W.:
Lift and Drag Characteristics
at Subsonic
Speeds
and at a Mach Number
of 1.9 of a
Lifting
Circular
Cylinder
With a Fineness
Ratio of i0.
NASA
TN D-170,
1959.

2.

Bursnall,
William
J., and Loftin,
Laurence
Investigation
of the Pressure
Distribution
Cylinder

3.

Schlichting,
Turbulent

in the
H.:
Flows.

Critical

Reynolds

Number

Lecture
Series
"Boundary
NACA TM 1218, 1949.

4. Polhamus,
Edward
C., and Spreemann,
Kenneth
sonic Speeds
of Fuselage
Forebody
Strakes
and Vertical-Tail-Load
Characteristics
of
a Delta Wing.
NACA RM L57KI5a,
1958.
5.

K., Jr.:
Experimental
About a Yawed Circular
Range.
Layer

NACA
Theory"

TN

2463,

- Part

1951.
II

P.:
Effect
of High Subon the Static
Stability
a Complete
Model Having

Hoerner,
Sighard
F.:
Aerodynamic
Drag.
Publ.
(148 Busteed,
Midland
Park, N.J.),
1951.

by

the

author

10

;\

\\\\\\_4\\4\\\\

\\\\\\\\\\\\_'_

Flop

--

-_-

_--

Tunnel

wall

Cylinder

I
t

End

plate
I

Mode/

in

7 - by I0-

foot

tunnel

o_

Lift

_- __

_-Flop

.37-

percent

6 - perce

flap

nt

flop

c=.500
._

_L

--i

F_ps
Wind

-_--

/80

apart

i --J
-_.50

C/d=O.06_3

Flop

Figure

i.-

Diagram

c=.500
7-- -- []
-=J
._L___

configurations

of model
and
dimensions

flaps used in the

are in inches.)

investigation.

(All

ii

2.0x

_o
I

lO
R
.8

.4

.2

0
0

.05

.lO

.15

20

25

.30

35

M
Figure

2.-

Variation

of Reynolds
number
investigation.

with

Mach

number

for

the

12

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&ll

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iii

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iiii

ft[_.
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: : ++.t

_b
c+
:tt:
r,._.

o ![i2

1!:
Ii:

':t
"ti

I2

/4

Figure _.- Effect of Reynolds number on the aerodynamic

characteristics
of a lifting cylinder.
(Plain cylinder data included.)
c/d = 0.06;
B = 90

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30
40
50
60

Figure
5.- Effect
of flap angular
position
cn the aerodynamic
characteristics
of a lifting
cylinder
for two Reynolds
numbers,
c/d = 0.06.

15

&
Cd
',.o
I

Figure
6.- Effect
of flap _ngular
position
on the aerodynamic
characteristics
of a lifting
cylinder
for two Reynolds
numbers,
c/d = 0.0057.

16

R
o

190,000

n
520, 000
<> 1,0,38,000
A 1,216,000

c_

,iiiif!ii:

Cd

',D

Iiiii : i::
J;;ll:ii:

/2

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+4+.+_.-

o
t,!t,*r!.

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!t::I_:ti
i,,!i,l_,l

ii!:t!_:i
ct

I10

120

1,30

140

150

160

170

I_0

8,deg

Figure

7--

istics

Effect
of

of

flap

cylinder

angular
having

position
two

flaps

on

the

aerodynamic

180 apart,

c/d

character= 0.06.

3Z
17

_o
o_
I

Figure

8.-

50

Effect
of Reynolds
number
a lifting
cylinder,

t00

on
c/d

150

the pressure
distribution
= 0.06; 8 = 90 .

about

i8

,:i b

_: i

Lower

surfoce

lii
i

i
/

o_- _
,

....

..,

t:

i!

'

'

-I

R=601,O00

t,O
k.>i

Cp

Figure

8.-

Concluded.

!- T _

_
o

Lower
Upper

surface
surface

_-

R = 1,005,000

R=502000

'q:)

Figure

9.-

Effect

of

Reynolds
number
on the
a plain
cylinder.

pressure

distribution

about

2O

I
!

!
xD
O_

(a)
Figure i0.- Effect
about a lifting

R = 520,000.

of flap angular position o_] the pressure

cylinder.
Tick refers to flap position,

distribution
c/d = 0.06.

21

_/I

#=60

"L

D
c_

I:ii!

]
i_

'

IT "

= I00 o

50

/0"0

G =/20

GO

_,deg

(b)
Figure

= i_216,000.

i0.-

Concluded.

22

!
',D
G"

8=90

cp

:
50

150

/_

(a)
Figure
ii.- Effect
about a lifting

I50

R : 520,000.

of flap angular
position
cylinder.
Ticks
indicate

on the pressure
flap position,

distribution
c/d : 0.0037.

23

'/0 I

_D

50

I00
O, d_

5O

t00

150

(b)
Figure

R = 1,216,000.
ii.-

Concluded.

/.50

24

6O

7o

80

9o

ioo

11o

12o

9o

t
I
_4

3o

2O

i0

III

17o
10

3O

9o
Figure

60
12.-

Effect

70
of

circular

flap

8O
height

cylinder.

zoo

9O
on
5

the

pressure

= 90o;

no
distribution

= 520,000.

12o
about

4Z
25

i
8=140

<O
O_
I

-2

(a)

R : 190,000.

Figure 13.- Effect of flap angular position on the pressure distribution

about a cylinder having two flaps 180 apart.
Ticks indicate flap
position on respective surfaces,
c/d = 0.06.

26

!
ko
RN
O'x

1
0

(b)
Figure

R = 520,000.
13.- Contirued.

27

Lower

surfoce

Upper

surfoce

ii

Cp_/

Z =120

/50

50
d;,de g

(c)
Figure

NASA-

Laagley

Field,

Va.

L=936

R : 1,038,000.
13.- Concluded.