lift and drag coefficient of box
 

Hello!

I visualized turbulent flow around a box. I try to calculate lift and drag coefficients. In controlDict I add

functions
{ forces
{
type forceCoeffs;
functionObjectLibs ( "libforces.so" );
outputControl timeStep;
outputInterval 1;
patches
( box );
rhoName rhoInf;
log true;
rhoInf 1.2041;
CofR ( 0 0 0 );
liftDir (0 1 0);
dragDir (0 0 1);
pitchAxis (0 0 0);
magUInf 4.0;
lRef 0.8;
Aref 0.64;
}
}

At the end of time, I have a file forces. The results are wrong:
Cd=-1.85
Cl=-12665

Size of box: fin is 0.8m
Size of tunnel: fin is 5.6m, heigh is 2.4m

Where I have a mistake?

Nobody has problems with problem like this?..

hi akuji,

if your simulation is 2D, then you have to check your Aref. lets say your 2D mesh is only 1 mm thick than you have to set your Aref

Aref=lRef*thickness-of-mesh=0.8/0.001

Edit:

Sorry, it should be Aref=0.8*0.001 not 0.8/0.001

And...if my mesh is 3D? (It's really 3d)

in openfoam it is always 3D. with 2D i meant that front and back patches are empty. the 3rd dimension is the thickness of the volume.

best regards

Well, I find a right solution. But I still have a question.

rhoName rhoInf;
log true;
rhoInf 1.2041;
CofR ( 0 0 0 );
liftDir (0 -0.01 0);
dragDir (0 0 1);
pitchAxis (0 0 0);
magUInf 4.0;
lRef 0.8;
Aref 0.64;


Why I need to set liftDir 0.01?

And one more question:)

I find information, that wrong to calculate lift coefficient if square of windward surface is not equal of square of downwind surface. What to do in this case?