Estimate for the pressure on rapidly accelerating bodies in high-speed flight

Julian D. Cole

ResearchPublished 1965

The pressure on a slender accelerating airfoil or body of revolution traveling at high speed is estimated by using snowplow theory in a plain transverse to the direction of motion. With this theory, a simple explicit expression is obtained or the pressure distribution on the body. The theory is valid for rapid accelerations and provides a quantitative estimate of the effect of acceleration on the air forces. The significant parameter measuring the effect is shown to be a Froude number, FR = (body length) (acceleration)/(speed). The results of the analysis show that only in extreme cases does acceleration or deceleration exert an important effect on air forces. The pressure on a slender accelerating airfoil or body of revolution traveling at high speed is estimated by using snowplow theory in a plain transverse to the direction of motion. With this theory, a simple explicit expression is obtained for the pressure distribution on the body. The theory is valid for rapid accelerations and provides a quantitative estimate of the effect of acceleration on the air forces. The significant parameter measuring the effect is shown to be a Froude number, FR = (body length) (acceleration)/ (speed). The results of the analysis show that only in extreme cases does acceleration or deceleration exert an important effect on air forces. 18 pp.

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Cole, Julian D., Estimate for the pressure on rapidly accelerating bodies in high-speed flight. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1965. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_memoranda/RM4153.html.
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