Prediction of disc golf drivers’ aerodynamic characteristics using Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes computational fluid dynamics

Abstract

Previous research manuscripts in sports (disc golf, cycling, and motorsports in particular) and the automotive industry have demonstrated the need for improved predictive capabilities of Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes aerodynamic simulations. This paper presents work performed to improve these capabilities for golf discs. The relatively new Lag elliptic blending k–ε turbulence model and the well-established k–ω Shear Stress Transport model were trialed in golf disc computational fluid dynamics analyses in this study. The predictive capabilities of the Lag elliptic blending k–ε turbulence model were improved by modifying its closure coefficient values. Closure coefficient values were taken from a study correlating the standard k–ε model to test flow cases. Turbulent kinetic energy increased for the Lag elliptic blending k–ε turbulence model simulations. The increase in turbulent kinetic energy produced a more energetic wake and evidence of more accurate flow structures. As an apparent result, the force and surface pressure coefficients of the Lag elliptic blending k–ε turbulence model simulations matched the experimental data more closely than the k–ω Shear Stress Transport model. Sports researchers, sports equipment designers, motorsports engineers, and automotive engineers may find this research helpful since it has been shown that many Reynolds Average Navier Stoke turbulence models underpredict turbulent kinetic energy and overpredict wake size for bluff bodies.