Face

In aerodynamics, the frontal area is the projected area that the shadow of a body z. B. throws a car in the longitudinal direction. It is the reference surface when calculating the flow resistance and other aerodynamic forces and moments.

In the past, the frontal area was determined by projecting the shadow of the body onto a transparent screen with a lamp very far away. Today the frontal area is scanned with laser light.

A larger frontal area, as well as the c _w value, proportionally increases the flow resistance, in the case of a car it increases the air resistance. Many car manufacturers do not specify the size; it is usually missing in comparison tables for cars, e.g. B. the ADAC.

The frontal area of trains is difficult to determine. It is customary there to assume a value of 10 m ² .

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Wolf-Heinrich Hucho: Aerodynamics of the blunt body . 2002, ISBN 3-528-06870-1 ( limited preview in the Google book search - determination of the frontal area of ​​the car).
2. ↑ Wolf-Heinrich Hucho: Aerodynamics of the blunt body . 2002, ISBN 3-528-06870-1 ( limited preview in the Google book search - face of trains).