Abstract ▼ AI-Helper

In this paper, we present a detailed mechanism of drag reduction by dimples and roughness on a sphere by measuring the streamwise velocity above the dimpled and roughened surfaces, respectively. Dimples cause local flow separation and trigger the shear layer instability along the separating shear la...

In this paper, we present a detailed mechanism of drag reduction by dimples and roughness on a sphere by measuring the streamwise velocity above the dimpled and roughened surfaces, respectively. Dimples cause local flow separation and trigger the shear layer instability along the separating shear layer, resulting in generation of large turbulence intensity. With this increased turbulence, the flow reattaches to the sphere surface with high momentum near the wall and overcomes strong adverse pressure gradient formed in the rear sphere surface. As a result, dimples delay main separation and reduce drag significantly. The present study suggests that generation of a separation bubble, i.e. a closed-loop streamline consisting of separation and reattachment, on a body surface is an important flow-control strategy for drag reduction on a bluff body such as the sphere and cylinder. In the case of roughened sphere, the boundary layer flow is directly triggered by roughness and changes to a turbulent flow. Due to this change, the drag significantly decreases. As the Reynolds number further increases, transition to turbulence occurs earlier on the sphere surface. Because of faster growth of turbulent boundary layer by roughness, earlier transition thickens the boundary layer, resulting in earlier separation and drag increase with increasing Reynolds number