Aerodynamics analysis of wheel configurations in Paralympic hand-cycling: A computational study

Aerodynamics; Computational fluid dynamics; Crosswinds; Hand-cycling; Paralympics; Wheel; Aerodynamic configurations; Aerodynamic drag; Computational studies; Cycling wheels; Rear wheels; Three wheels; Yaw angles; Wheels

Abstract :

[en] Para-cycling aerodynamics holds additional complexities compared to its able-bodied counterpart. Hand-cycling provides such an example, where three wheels opposed to the two wheels of a traditional bicycle are required. Wheel aerodynamics are therefore even more prevalent in the field of Paralympic hand-cycling. However, there has been little attention devoted to wheel aerodynamics in Paralympic hand-cycling. This study investigates hand-cycling wheel aerodynamics. The optimal wheel selection was investigated from a combination of wheels that represented competitive deep-section spoked wheels and disk wheels. In addition to the various wheel combinations, the spacing between the two rear wheels was varied. A 55 cm rear wheel spacing provided drag reductions of up to 4.7% compared to 70 cm when using rear disk wheels at 0°yaw. Crosswinds were also investigated, and it was shown that a front disk wheel coupled with rear deep-section wheels at 55 cm spacing provided the best aerodynamic drag performance with increasing yaw angle. With this wheel setup, the C D A increased by only 7.7%, between min and max values found at 0°and 15°yaw respectively. © 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS

Disciplines :

Aerospace & aeronautics engineering

Author, co-author :

Mannion, P.; Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Informatics, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland, Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. box 513, Eindhoven, MB 5600, Netherlands, Informatics Research Unit for Sustainable Engineering (IRUSE), Galway, Ireland

Toparlar, Y.; Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. box 513, Eindhoven, MB 5600, Netherlands

Hajdukiewicz, M.; Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Informatics, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland, Informatics Research Unit for Sustainable Engineering (IRUSE), Galway, Ireland

Clifford, E.; Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Informatics, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland, Informatics Research Unit for Sustainable Engineering (IRUSE), Galway, Ireland

Andrianne, Thomas ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'aérospatiale et mécanique > Interactions Fluide-Structure - Aérodynamique expérimentale

Blocken, B.; Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. box 513, Eindhoven, MB 5600, Netherlands, Department of Civil Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 40 – bus 2447, Leuven, 3001, Belgium

Language :

English

Title :

Aerodynamics analysis of wheel configurations in Paralympic hand-cycling: A computational study

Publication date :

2019

Journal title :

European Journal of Mechanics. B, Fluids

ISSN :

0997-7546

Publisher :

Elsevier Ltd

Volume :

Pages :

50-65

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Available on ORBi :

since 20 April 2021

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