Analysis of Aerodynamic Drag on Cycling Based on Complementary Numerical and Experimental Studies

Author(s):  
Sergio D. Roa ◽  
Diego A. Ferreira ◽  
Luis E. Muñoz ◽  
Omar D. López

Aerodynamic drag is the main opposing force that a cyclist has to overcome when cycling on level ground at moderate-to-high speeds. Therefore, the aerodynamic study of the bike-cyclist set has been identified as a key factor for the analysis and improvement of performance. Although there are many reference aerodynamic studies, for the specific analysis of a bike-cyclist set it is necessary to take into account the particular influence of the cyclist’s body shape, cyclist position and cycling equipment on aerodynamic drag. In addition, there are quantitative studies focused on analyzing aerodynamic drag using numerical and experimental methodologies; nonetheless, these studies are generally not complementary or comparative. The aim of this paper is to present the first stage of a current work that seeks to develop a complementary methodology for the aerodynamic drag analysis using numerical and experimental studies. In this stage, a numerical study based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is presented. A digitalized cyclist body model is analyzed while the mesh characteristics and the results of the CFD simulations are addressed. On the other hand, field experimental tests were carried out by the same cyclist to determine the power demand at two cyclist’s body positions. A method for monitoring the cyclist’s body position in order to achieve repeatable positions during experimental trials is presented. Complementary information for the aerodynamic evaluation is obtained through the numerical and experimental studies, and the aerodynamic drag area results from both approaches is compared.

Author(s):  
Alexander B. Fulton ◽  
Genevieve M. Lipp ◽  
Jeffrey D. Reid ◽  
Brian P. Mann

Competitive cyclists seek to maximize their efficiency by minimizing the influence of resistive forces. At the high speeds maintained during competition, aerodynamic drag is the primary resistive force. This paper investigates the influence of a cyclist’s body position using models of aerodynamic drag and elucidates the time benefit of various body positions. Mathematical models from prior work, which use cyclist mass and body position angles, have been used to determine the projected frontal area of a cyclist and the aerodynamic drag. Graphical representation of the non-linear relationship between aerodynamic drag and an increasing velocity are also provided. Finally, simulations are produced for a 40 km time trial course, and the results indicate a maximum performance increase of 20.71% due entirely to rider body position when exerting 400 W. We conclude aerodynamic efficiency is crucial in competitive cycling, and its significant correlation with rider body position should not be ignored.


2018 ◽  
Vol 763 ◽  
pp. 600-608
Author(s):  
Mandi Hatami ◽  
Gregory A. MacRae ◽  
Geoffrey W. Rodgers ◽  
George Charles Clifton

A Finite Element (FE) model is used to simulate the experimental behaviour of high strength bolts in asymmetric friction connections (AFC). Two M16 connections tested previously are modelled using ABAQUS and are subjected to cyclic lateral displacements. The numerical results were similar to that from previous experimental studies. It was also shown that hysteresis loop strength and stability reduced for longer bolt grip lengths. Other information, which cannot be easily monitored in experimental tests, such as the bearing stress distribution between plates, component equivalent plastic strain, and bolt tension force, were obtained at different sliding distances. It was shown that bolt and plate plastic deformation tended to occur in bolts with a long grip length to bolt diameter ratio.


2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirela Dulama ◽  
Nicoleta Deneanu ◽  
Cristian Dulama ◽  
Margarit Pavelescu

The paper presents the experimental tests concerning the treatment by membrane techniques of radioactive aqueous waste. Solutions, which have been treated by using the bench-scale installation, were radioactive simulated secondary wastes from the decontamination process with modified POD. Generally, an increasing of the retention is observed for most of the contaminants in the reverse osmosis experiments with pre-treatment steps. The main reason for taking a chemical treatment approach was to selectively remove soluble contaminants from the waste. In the optimization part of the precipitation step, several precipitation processes were compared. Based on this comparison, mixed [Fe(CN)6]4-/Al3+/Fe2+ was selected as a precipitation process applicable for precipitation of radionuclides and flocculation of suspended solid. Increased efficiencies for cesium radionuclides removal were obtained in natural zeolite adsorption pre-treatment stages and this was due to the fact that volcanic tuff used has a special affinity for this element. Usually, the addition of powdered active charcoal serves as an advanced purifying method used to remove organic compounds and residual radionuclides; thus by analyzing the experimental data (for POD wastes) one can observe a decreasing of about 50% for cobalt isotopes subsequently to the active charcoal adsorption.. The semipermeable membranes were used, which were prepared by the researchers from the Research Center for Macromolecular Materials and Membranes, Bucharest. The process efficiency was monitored by gamma spectrometry.


Author(s):  
Alexander Vakhrushev ◽  
Abdellah Kharicha ◽  
Ebrahim Karimi-Sibaki ◽  
Menghuai Wu ◽  
Andreas Ludwig ◽  
...  

AbstractA numerical study is presented that deals with the flow in the mold of a continuous slab caster under the influence of a DC magnetic field (electromagnetic brakes (EMBrs)). The arrangement and geometry investigated here is based on a series of previous experimental studies carried out at the mini-LIMMCAST facility at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR). The magnetic field models a ruler-type EMBr and is installed in the region of the ports of the submerged entry nozzle (SEN). The current article considers magnet field strengths up to 441 mT, corresponding to a Hartmann number of about 600, and takes the electrical conductivity of the solidified shell into account. The numerical model of the turbulent flow under the applied magnetic field is implemented using the open-source CFD package OpenFOAM®. Our numerical results reveal that a growing magnitude of the applied magnetic field may cause a reversal of the flow direction at the meniscus surface, which is related the formation of a “multiroll” flow pattern in the mold. This phenomenon can be explained as a classical magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) effect: (1) the closure of the induced electric current results not primarily in a braking Lorentz force inside the jet but in an acceleration in regions of previously weak velocities, which initiates the formation of an opposite vortex (OV) close to the mean jet; (2) this vortex develops in size at the expense of the main vortex until it reaches the meniscus surface, where it becomes clearly visible. We also show that an acceleration of the meniscus flow must be expected when the applied magnetic field is smaller than a critical value. This acceleration is due to the transfer of kinetic energy from smaller turbulent structures into the mean flow. A further increase in the EMBr intensity leads to the expected damping of the mean flow and, consequently, to a reduction in the size of the upper roll. These investigations show that the Lorentz force cannot be reduced to a simple damping effect; depending on the field strength, its action is found to be topologically complex.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 626
Author(s):  
Riccardo Scazzosi ◽  
Marco Giglio ◽  
Andrea Manes

In the case of protection of transportation systems, the optimization of the shield is of practical interest to reduce the weight of such components and thus increase the payload or reduce the fuel consumption. As far as metal shields are concerned, some investigations based on numerical simulations showed that a multi-layered configuration made of layers of different metals could be a promising solution to reduce the weight of the shield. However, only a few experimental studies on this subject are available. The aim of this study is therefore to discuss whether or not a monolithic shield can be substituted by a double-layered configuration manufactured from two different metals and if such a configuration can guarantee the same perforation resistance at a lower weight. In order to answer this question, the performance of a ballistic shield constituted of a layer of high-strength steel and a layer of an aluminum alloy impacted by an armor piercing projectile was investigated in experimental tests. Furthermore, an axisymmetric finite element model was developed. The effect of the strain rate hardening parameter C and the thermal softening parameter m of the Johnson–Cook constitutive model was investigated. The numerical model was used to understand the perforation process and the energy dissipation mechanism inside the target. It was found that if the high-strength steel plate is used as a front layer, the specific ballistic energy increases by 54% with respect to the monolithic high-strength steel plate. On the other hand, the specific ballistic energy decreases if the aluminum plate is used as the front layer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 5008
Author(s):  
Juan José del Coz-Díaz ◽  
Felipe Pedro Álvarez-Rabanal ◽  
Mar Alonso-Martínez ◽  
Juan Enrique Martínez-Martínez

The thermal inertia properties of construction elements have gained a great deal of importance in building design over the last few years. Many investigations have shown that this is the key factor to improve energy efficiency and obtain optimal comfort conditions in buildings. However, experimental tests are expensive and time consuming and the development of new products requires shorter analysis times. In this sense, the goal of this research is to analyze the thermal behavior of a wall made up of lightweight concrete blocks covered with layers of insulating materials in steady- and transient-state conditions. For this, numerical and experimental studies were done, taking outdoor temperature and relative humidity as a function of time into account. Furthermore, multi-criteria optimization based on the design of the experimental methodology is used to minimize errors in thermal material properties and to understand the main parameters that influence the numerical simulation of thermal inertia. Numerical Finite Element Models (FEM) will take conduction, convection and radiation phenomena in the recesses of lightweight concrete blocks into account, as well as the film conditions established in the UNE-EN ISO 6946 standard. Finally, the numerical ISO-13786 standard and the experimental results are compared in terms of wall thermal transmittance, thermal flux, and temperature evolution, as well as the dynamic thermal inertia parameters, showing a good agreement in some cases, allowing builders, architects, and engineers to develop new construction elements in a short time with the new proposed methodology.


2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce F Sparling ◽  
Alan G Davenport

Large amplitude cable vibrations are difficult to predict using linear theory due to the presence of sag in the suspended profile. A numerical study was therefore undertaken to investigate the dynamic behaviour of inclined cables excited by imposed displacements. To model the nonlinear nature of cable response, a time domain finite element approach was adopted using nonlinear catenary cable elements. Two types of horizontal displacement patterns were enforced at the upper end of the guy. In the first phase of the study, harmonic displacement histories with a wide range of forcing frequencies were considered. In the second phase, random enforced displacements were used to simulate the motion of a guyed mast in gusty winds. The influence of aerodynamic drag and damping forces was investigated by performing analyses under still air, steady wind, and turbulent wind conditions. It was found that nonlinear coupling of related harmonic response components was significant at certain critical frequencies, particular when the excitation was harmonic and acted in the plane of the guy. Positive aerodynamic damping was shown to effectively suppress resonant and nonlinear coupling response.Key words: cables, structural dynamics, wind loading, finite element method, nonlinear analysis, guyed towers.


1984 ◽  
Vol 146 ◽  
pp. 331-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. G. Bromilow ◽  
R. R. Clements

Flow visualization has shown that the interaction of line vortices is a combination of tearing, elongation and rotation, the extent of each depending upon the flow conditions. A discrete-vortex model is used to study the interaction of two and three growing line vortices of different strengths and to assess the suitability of the method for such simulation.Many of the features observed in experimental studies of shear layers are reproduced. The controlled study shows the importance and rapidity of the tearing process under certain conditions.


Author(s):  
Yoann Jus ◽  
Elisabeth Longatte ◽  
Jean-Camille Chassaing ◽  
Pierre Sagaut

The present work focusses on the numerical study of Vortex-Induced Vibrations (VIV) of an elastically mounted cylinder in a cross flow at moderate Reynolds numbers. Low mass-damping experimental studies show that the dynamic behavior of the cylinder exhibits a three-branch response model, depending on the range of the reduced velocity. However, few numerical simulations deal with accurate computations of the VIV amplitudes at the lock-in upper branch of the bifurcation diagram. In this work, the dynamic response of the cylinder is investigated by means of three-dimensional Large Eddy Simulation (LES). An Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian framework is employed to account for fluid solid interface boundary motion and grid deformation. Numerous numerical simulations are performed at a Reynolds number of 3900 for both no damping and low-mass damping ratio and various reduced velocities. A detailed physical analysis is conducted to show how the present methodology is able to capture the different VIV responses.


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