Research on Skin Friction Drag Reduction by Vibrant Wall

Abstract

To reduce aerodynamic drag, reduction of skin friction is required. Vibrant flexible wall has been proposed to reduce skin friction drag for a long time. However, there are many problems for the flexible wall to get practical durability, easy maintenance and reasonable cost. On the other hand, vibrant solid wall, which is much adequate for a car body, has been rarely proposed. In this research, mechanism of drag reduction by a vibrating solid wall is considered from the velocity distribution near the wall surface. Reduction of skin friction drag on a vibrant wall is mainly caused by decrease of Reynolds shear stress, and the effect of shear stress from velocity gradient near the wall is small. The optimum condition of vibration for drag reduction is also discussed in this paper.

Keywords

• turbulent flow
• drag reduction
• skin friction