Cyclist Drag in Team Pursuit: Influence of Cyclist Sequence, Stature, and Arm Spacing

2013 ◽  
Vol 136 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thijs Defraeye ◽  
Bert Blocken ◽  
Erwin Koninckx ◽  
Peter Hespel ◽  
Pieter Verboven ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drag Reduction ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag ◽  
Numerical Approach ◽  
Wind Tunnel Experiments ◽  
Total Drag ◽  
Numerical Studies ◽  
Reduction Mechanisms ◽  
Anthropometric Characteristics ◽  
Specific Position ◽  
Drag Area

In team pursuit, the drag of a group of cyclists riding in a pace line is dependent on several factors, such as anthropometric characteristics (stature) and position of each cyclist as well as the sequence in which they ride. To increase insight in drag reduction mechanisms, the aerodynamic drag of four cyclists riding in a pace line was investigated, using four different cyclists, and for four different sequences. In addition, each sequence was evaluated for two arm spacings. Instead of conventional field or wind tunnel experiments, a validated numerical approach (computational fluid dynamics) was used to evaluate cyclist drag, where the bicycles were not included in the model. The cyclist drag was clearly dependent on his position in the pace line, where second and subsequent positions experienced a drag reduction up to 40%, compared to an individual cyclist. Individual differences in stature and position on the bicycle led to an intercyclist variation of this drag reduction at a specific position in the sequence, but also to a variation of the total drag of the group for different sequences. A larger drag area for the group was found when riding with wider arm spacing. Such numerical studies on cyclists in a pace line are useful for determining the optimal cyclist sequence for team pursuit.

scholarly journals Drafting Effect in Cycling: On-Site Aerodynamic Investigation by the ‘Ring of Fire’

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Alexander Spoelstra ◽  
Nikhil Mahalingesh ◽  
Andrea Sciacchitano
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Drag Reduction ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag ◽  
Relative Size ◽  
Current Work ◽  
Lateral Separation ◽  
Aerodynamic Investigation ◽  
Drag Area

An on-site Ring of Fire (RoF) experiment is performed at the Tom Dumoulin bike park in Sittard-Geleen, the Netherlands. The current work investigates the aerodynamic drag of a cyclist following a lead cyclist at different lateral and longitudinal separations; additionally, the athletes’ skills to maintain their position and distance with respect to the preceding riders are evaluated. The effect of the relative size of the lead cyclist on the drag area of the drafting cyclist is also investigated. The results show drag reductions of the trailing cyclist in the range from 27% to 66% depending on the longitudinal and lateral separation from the leading rider. The aerodynamic advantage of the drafting rider decreases with increasing lateral and longitudinal separation between riders, with the lateral separation found to be more relevant. Besides this, the drag reduction of the drafting cyclist benefits from an increase in drag area of the leading cyclist.

A Study of an Active Rear Diffuser Device for Aerodynamic Drag Reduction of Automobiles

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung-On Kang ◽  
Jun-Ho Cho ◽  
Sang-Ook Jun ◽  
Hoon-Il Park ◽  
Ki-Sun Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drag Reduction ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag Reduction

scholarly journals Resistance reduction on trimaran ship model by biopolymer of eel slime

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-102
Author(s):  
Y. Yanuar ◽  
G. Gunawan ◽  
M. A. Talahatu ◽  
R. T. Indrawati ◽  
A. Jamaluddin
Keyword(s):  
Drag Reduction ◽  
Frictional Resistance ◽  
Skin Surface ◽  
Fish Skin ◽  
Total Drag ◽  
Towing Tank ◽  
Ship Model ◽  
Resistance Reduction ◽  
Towing Tank Test ◽  
Tank Test

Resistance reduction in ship becomes an important issue to be investigated. Energy consumption and its efficiency are related toward drag reduction. Drag reduction in fluid flow can be obtained by providing polymer additives, coating, surfactants, fiber and special roughness on the surface hull. Fish skin surface coated with biopolymers viscous fluid (slime) is one method in frictional resistance reduction. The aim of this is to understanding the effect of drag reduction using eel slime biopolymer in unsymmetrical trimaran ship model. The Investigation was conducted using towing tank test with variation of velocity. The dimension of trimaran model are L = 2 m, B = 0.20 m and T = 0.065 m. The ship model resistance was precisely measured by a load cell transducer. The comparison of resistance on trimaran ship model coated and uncoated by eel slime are shown on the graph as a function of the total drag coefficient and Froude number. It is discovered the trimaran ship model by eel slime has higher drag reduction compared to trimaran with no eel slime at similar displacement. The result shows the drag reduction about 11 % at Fr 0.35.

Aerodynamic Drag Reduction Investigation for a Simplified Road Vehicle Using Plasma Flow Control

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahram Khalighi ◽  
Joanna Ho ◽  
John Cooney ◽  
Brian Neiswander ◽  
Thomas C. Corke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drag Reduction ◽  
Flow Control ◽  
Plasma Flow ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag ◽  
Force Balance ◽  
Plasma Actuators ◽  
Ground Vehicles ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Local Flow ◽  
Plasma Flow Control

The effect of plasma flow control on reducing aerodynamic drag for ground vehicles is investigated. The experiments were carried out for a simplified ground vehicle using single dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) plasma actuators. The plasma actuators were designed to alter the flow structure in the wake region behind the vehicle. The Ahmed body was modified to allow eight different vehicle geometries (with backlight or slant angles of 0° and 35°). Each of these were further modified by rounding the edges with different radii. Flow visualizations such as particle streams and surface oil were used to quantify features of the local flow field. The drag on the models was measured using a force balance as well as by integrating the mean velocity profiles in the model wakes. The results indicated that flow modifications needed to be applied symmetrically (upper to lower and/or side to side). This was demonstrated with the 0° backlight angle (square-back) that had all four side-corners rounded. Plasma actuators were applied to all four of the rounded edges to enhance the ability to direct the flow into the wake. Wake measurements showed that steady actuation at a fixed actuator voltage reduced the drag by an average of 20% at the lower velocities (below 15 m/s) and by 3% at the highest velocity tested (20 m/s). Model constraints prevented increasing the plasma actuator voltage that was needed to maintain the higher drag reduction observed at the lower speeds.

Failure Modes of Tapered Suction Caissons Under Vertical Pull-Out Loads

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmood Nabipour ◽  
Mostafa Zeinoddini ◽  
Mahmood R. Abdi
Keyword(s):  
Failure Modes ◽  
Numerical Approach ◽  
Local Failure ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Soil Plug ◽  
Pull Out ◽  
Modes Of Failure ◽  
Numerical Studies ◽  
Second Mode ◽  
Suction Caissons

The pull-out performance of conventional upright suction caissons has been investigated by different researchers. However, no attention has been formerly paid to tapered suction caissons. Some numerical studies already conducted by the authors demonstrated that tapered caissons exhibit pull-out capacities well above than that from their corresponding upright caissons. This paper deals with different failure mechanisms of tapered suction caissons and discusses some reason for their superior performance. A numerical approach has been used and different combinations of caisson types/ soil categories have been examined. With tapered suction caissons two different modes of failure have been discerned. The first mode has been noticed to develop in weak clays and sands under drained conditions. This mode corresponds to a shear sliding failure in the soil plug along the caisson’s interior wall. Concurrently a soil wedge is formed in the soil body adjacent to the caisson. The second mode of failure has been observed in higher strength drained clays and undrained clays and sands. With this failure mode a local failure at the bottom of the soil plug has been noticed to happen. At the same time the failure is extended to the lower surfaces of a soil wedge outside of the caisson. The detached soil plug accompanies the caisson in its movement upward following the local failure.

scholarly journals Bionic shape design of electric locomotive and aerodynamic drag reduction

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (48) ◽  
pp. 99-109
Author(s):  
Zhenfeng WU ◽  
Yanzhong HUO ◽  
Wangcai DING ◽  
Zihao XIE
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Drag Reduction ◽  
Bluff Body ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag ◽  
Geometric Characteristic ◽  
Shape Design ◽  
Shape Optimisation ◽  
Electric Locomotive ◽  
Geometric Models ◽  
Characteristic Lines

Bionics has been widely used in many fields. Previous studies on the application of bionics in locomotives and vehicles mainly focused on shape optimisation of high-speed trains, but the research on bionic shape design in the electric locomotive field is rare. This study investigated a design method for streamlined electric locomotives according to the principles of bionics. The crocodiles were chosen as the bionic object because of their powerful and streamlined head shape. Firstly, geometric characteristic lines were extracted from the head of a crocodile by analysing the head features. Secondly, according to the actual size requirements of the electric locomotive head, a free-hand sketch of the bionic electric locomotive head was completed by adjusting the position and scale of the geometric characteristic lines. Finally, the non-uniform rational B-splines method was used to establish a 3D digital model of the crocodile bionic electric locomotive, and the main and auxiliary control lines were created. To verify the drag reduction effect of the crocodile bionic electric locomotive, numerical simulations of aerodynamic drag were performed for the crocodile bionic and bluff body electric locomotives at different speeds in open air by using the CFD software, ANSYS FLUENT16.0. The geometric models of crocodile bionic and bluff body electric locomotives were both marshalled with three cars, namely, locomotive + middle car + locomotive, and the size of the two geometric models was uniform. Dimensions and grids of the flow field were defined. And then, according to the principle of motion relativity, boundary conditions of flow field were defined. The results indicated that the crocodile bionic electric locomotive demonstrated a good aerodynamic performance. At the six sampling speeds in the range of 40–240 km/h, the aerodynamic drag coefficient of the crocodile bionic electric locomotive decreased by 7.7% on the average compared with that of the bluff body electric locomotive.

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