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The accuracy of flat plate, turbulent skin friction at supersonic speeds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

L. C. Squire*
Affiliation:
Cambridge University Engineering Department, UK

Abstract

This paper presents a comparison of turbulent skin-friction coefficients measured by floating element balances in zero pressure gradient conditions for a wide range of Mach numbers and Reynolds numbers. From these comparisons it is clear that although a large number of measurements have been made it is impossible to use these measurements to find the skin-friction coefficient for a given Mach number and Reynolds number to an accuracy of better than ±2 to 3%. This estimate of accuracy applies only to the range of Mach numbers and Reynolds within which there are a reasonable number of measurements to compare. Outside this range, say for Reynolds numbers based on momentum thickness greater than 40,000 and Mach numbers greater than 2 the uncertainty is greater.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2000 

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