Learn about drag coefficients and the process of validation through our analysis of Archery Tag arrowheads. Archery Tag is an upcoming sport, but the current arrows are difficult to use. We sought to optimize the geometry of the foam arrowhead to allow for a smoother flight, which we measured through a comparison of drag coefficients in CFD and wind tunnel experiments.
by Madison Boyer and Sarah Fletcher
This project looks at how spin affects the flight of a tennis ball. A simple spherical model in StarCCM+ is used to see how different spins and velocities affect the forces on a tennis ball. There is also a Matlab GUI which uses an average drag coefficient of 0.5 for a tennis ball to visually show how differing velocities, spins, and angles affect the flight of a tennis ball.
An introduction to vortex rings and their formation. Focus on sparking interest and giving directions for the motivated learner to experiment on his/her own.
by Judd Mehr and P.J. Stanley
We explored the question of whether it is best for a pickup truck to be driven with a bed cover, with the tailgate up, or with the tailgate down. We simulated each of these scenarios in STAR-CCM+ at varying velocities and compared them to experimental reports.
by Daniel Soderquist and Brent O’Dell
This class project sought to determine the nature of boundary layers and other viscous behavior in subsonic compressible converging nozzle flows. The boundary layer displacement thickness obtained from CFD is much smaller than what the analytical “flat plate solution” predicts. The Mach number at the exit is very close to a choked flow condition, as the pressure ratio would predict analytically, so the inviscid assumption for isentropic nozzle equations is verified here.
by Jesse Van Horn and Jonathan Priedeman
An Android app orientated for teenagers to learn principles behind wind turbines. The learning tool has three activities: the lift and drag of an airfoil based on angle of attack, the power of a turbine based on wind speed, rotor radius, and rotation rate, and the wake effect of two turbines based on y-position and yaw. Each activity has an instructions page that explains some of the theory behind the principles used. References and descriptions for each activity are included in a readme file in the app development files.
by Jared Thomas and Ryan Barrett
A slideshow presentation that explains why golf balls are dimpled rather than smooth. This is done by comparing CFD and experimental results to tabulated values for smooth and rough spheres. The coefficient of drag was determined for each of these methods. This presentation allows for better understanding of aerodynamic principles in golf.
by Mitch Blanc and Matt Smith
When a sphere moves through a fluid, its rotation and surface roughness affect the pressure distribution around the sphere, thereby affecting the sphere’s coefficient of lift. The Matlab code provided generates a GUI where the user can input a surface roughness and a non-dimensional parameter based off the angular velocity, sphere diameter and wind speed and outputs the coefficient of lift. Valid for a Reynold’s number of 60,000 and the non-dimensional ((w*d)/(2U)) values of 1-4.
by Jon Kjar and Jeff Carruth
Our video is on frisbee flight with a brief discussion on a star-ccm+ simulation and wind tunnel tests.
by Derek Croft and Casey Hubbell
An investigation and explanation of internal waves. The link is to a presentation that describes the basic mechanics, areas of application, and common causes of internal waves. Experimental videos on the presentation show internal waves being generated by various methods, including by the motion of mechanical fish through a stratified fluid.
by Michael Farnsworth and Austin Maxwell
A video explaining the benefits of drafting to a new cyclist. The video introduces aerodynamic concepts and describes how drafting works from an aerodynamic perspective. It also shows the benefits of drafting using both CFD and wind tunnel results.
by Kyle Hadley and Alex Jafek
These mechanical devices separate compressed air into a hot and cold stream. Temperatures can reach up to 200° C from the hot stream and drop down to -40° C from the cold stream. I demonstrate these temperature changes with a vortex tube which I made, and explain the basics behind this phenomenon.
by Adam Henrie
We created a two-part tutorial, which can be found at the above links. The first video shows how to begin creating a rotating propeller simulation using STAR-CCM, where the fluid domain and initial mesh conditions are set. The second video details the physics models and periodic boundary conditions used, as well as how to use the CAEDM supercomputer to run the simulation. In the videos’ desciption, a table of contents is in place to help find specific steps.
by Kevin Moore and Bryce Ingersoll
Step-by-step instructions for sizing a centrifugal pump with actual numbers from a reactor coolant pump. The slides show you how to go from the total head and flow rate to most important factors and considerations when sizing a pump.
This information will be available on the I2S research project server. This research project involves over 30 students from BYU as well as many others from Westinghouse, Cambridge, Georgia Tech, INL, Morehouse, PoliiMu, Virginia Tech, U. of Tennessee, U. of Michigan, U. of Idaho, and SNOC.
by Nathanael Neil and Jonathan Boyack
Our presentation is an explanation of how the shape of a projectile effects the drag on it. Our conclusion was that the biggest factors are the boattail angle in subsonic conditions and nose shape in supersonic conditions.
by Sterling Swift and Shawn LeBaron
This presentation describes the fundamentals behind the difference between a hydrophilic (water-attracting) surface and a super-hydrophobic (water-fearing) surface. Experiments were performed and applications discussed to illustrate these differences.
by Mikkel Unrau and Aaron Terry
This video explains how the magnus effect works and how it can be used to increase the distance a paintball travels. The fluid velocity on top of a spinning ball is greater than the fluid velocity on the bottom. Due to Bernoulli’s principle, the pressure on the bottom of the ball exceed the pressure on the top, creating lift.
by Jared Wardell and Isabel Calderon
An Annular wing is a rounded closed-form wing that aims to reduce wingtip vortices. In this study, an analysis of the vorticity, as well as the lift-to-drag ratio of a circular annular wing was performed. In order to make a comparison, a more conventional wing was also analyzed in the same way. Our motivation for the project, process of analysis, results, and conclusions can be found by following the included link.
by Jesse Wynn and Taylor McDonnell