Numerical study of the aerodynamics of time-trial cycling helmets

(Numerische Untersuchung der aerodynamik von Zeitfahrhelmen im Radsport)

The aerodynamic drag of three different time-trial cycling helmets is analyzed numerically from two different cyclist head positions. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods were used to investigate the detailed airflow patterns around the cyclist for a constant velocity of 15m/s without wind. CFD simulations were used to study the aerodynamic drag of the cyclist/helmet system which is closely related to the distribution of shear and pressure coefficients. We show that for a given head position, the helmet shape, by itself, has a weak effect on a cyclist`s aerodynamic performance (<1.5%). However, by varying head position, a cyclist significantly influences aerodynamic performance, the maximum difference between both positions being about 6.4%. CFD results have also shown that both helmet shape and head position significantly influence drag forces, pressure and wall shear stress distributions on the whole cyclist`s body due to the change in the near-wake behavior and in location of corresponding separation and attachment areas around the cyclist
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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Schlagworte:
Notationen:Ausdauersportarten Kraft-Schnellkraft-Sportarten Sportstätten und Sportgeräte
Tagging:Computational Fluid Dynamics Zeitfahren Helm
Veröffentlicht in:Instrumentation Mesure Métrologie
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: 2019
Online-Zugang:https://doi.org/10.3166/i2m.16.1-4.33-50
Jahrgang:16
Heft:1-4
Seiten:33-50
Dokumentenarten:Artikel
Level:hoch