A Generalized Model for Predicting the Drag Coefficient of Arbitrary Bluff Shaped Bodies at High Reynolds Numbers

We propose an accurate model for the drag coefficient of arbitrary bluff bodies that is valid for high Reynolds numbers ($Re$). The model is based on the drag coefficient model derived for the case of a sphere:, $C_D = a_1 +{\frac{K a_2}{Re}} +{a_3\log(Re)+ a_4\log^2(Re) + a_5\log^4(Re)}$ (El Hasadi and Padding, Chemical Engineering Science, Vol. 265, 2023). The coefficients $a_2$, $a_3$, $a_4$, and $a_5$ do not depend on the object's shape or its orientation with respect to the flow, and $K$ is the Stokes drag correction factor, which for the case of the sphere, is equal to 1.0. The shape and orientation effects are included in the value of $a_1$ for the high Reynolds number flow regime. Interestingly, we found a strong correlation between the value of the $a_1$ coefficient and the frictional drag derived from boundary layer theory. One of the main findings of this investigation is that the rate of change of the drag coefficient with respect to the Reynolds number in the inertial flow regime is independent of the shape of the body or its orientation. Our model successfully predicts, with acceptable accuracy, the historical data of Wieselsberger (Technical Report, 1922) for the case of an infinite cylinder. Additionally, the model predicts the drag coefficient of other bluff body geometries such as oblate and prolate spheroids, spherocylinders, cubes, normal flat plates and irregular non-spherical particles.