Drag reduction through self-similar bending of a flexible body

Silas Alben, Michael Shelley () and Jun Zhang
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Silas Alben: New York University
Michael Shelley: New York University
Jun Zhang: New York University

Nature, 2002, vol. 420, issue 6915, 479-481

Abstract: Abstract The classical theory of high-speed flow1 predicts that a moving rigid object experiences a drag proportional to the square of its speed. However, this reasoning does not apply if the object in the flow is flexible, because its shape then becomes a function of its speed—for example, the rolling up of broad tree leaves in a stiff wind2. The reconfiguration of bodies by fluid forces is common in nature, and can result in a substantial drag reduction that is beneficial for many organisms3,4. Experimental studies of such flow–structure interactions5 generally lack a theoretical interpretation that unifies the body and flow mechanics. Here we use a flexible fibre immersed in a flowing soap film to measure the drag reduction that arises from bending of the fibre by the flow. Using a model that couples hydrodynamics to bending, we predict a reduced drag growth compared to the classical theory. The fibre undergoes a bending transition, producing shapes that are self-similar; for such configurations, the drag scales with the length of self-similarity, rather than the fibre profile width. These predictions are supported by our experimental data.

Date: 2002
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DOI: 10.1038/nature01232

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