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Drag

Drag

Drag is a resistive force opposing an object’s motion through a fluid, resulting from surface pressure and shear forces. It comprises two components: a perpendicular one from pressure and a tangential one from shear stress. Accurate drag calculations use pressure and wall shear stress distributions, often determined through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) or wind tunnel testing. The drag coefficient, a dimensionless measure, depends on factors like shape, Reynolds number, Mach number, Froude...

Drag Force and Terminal Speed

Drag Force and Terminal Speed

An interesting force in everyday life is the force of drag on an object when it is moving in a fluid. Like friction, the drag force always opposes the motion of an object. Unlike simple friction, the drag force is proportional to some function of the velocity of the object in that fluid. This functionality is complicated and depends upon the shape of the object, its size, its velocity, and the fluid it is in. For most large objects, such as cyclists, cars, and baseballs, that are not moving too...

Hydrostatic Pressure Force on a Curved Surface

Hydrostatic Pressure Force on a Curved Surface

Hydrostatic pressure on curved surfaces is a fundamental concept in fluid mechanics with broad applications in the civil engineering field. When fluid is in contact with a curved surface, as in a reservoir, dam, or storage tank, it exerts pressure that varies in magnitude and direction along the curved surface. To assess the total hydrostatic force exerted by the fluid on a curved structure, engineers typically isolate the fluid volume adjacent to the surface and analyze the forces acting on...

General External Flow Characteristics

General External Flow Characteristics

The study of external flow is essential for creating structures and objects that interact efficiently and safely with moving fluids, such as air or water. When a body is immersed in a flowing fluid, it experiences two primary forces: drag, which opposes motion along the flow direction, and lift, which acts perpendicular to the flow. The shape, size, and orientation of the object influence these forces.Streamlined and Blunt Bodies in External FlowObjects in fluid flow are classified as...

Buoyancy and Stability for Submerged and Floating Bodies

Buoyancy and Stability for Submerged and Floating Bodies

In fluid mechanics, buoyancy and stability are key concepts for understanding the behavior of submerged and floating bodies. When a stationary body is fully or partially submerged in a fluid, the fluid exerts a force on the body known as the buoyant force. This force acts vertically upward through a point called the center of buoyancy, which is the center of the displaced fluid volume. According to Archimedes' principle, the magnitude of the buoyant force is equal to the weight of the fluid...

Differential Equations: Problem Solving

Differential Equations: Problem Solving

When analyzing the motion of falling objects, it is essential to consider not only the force of gravity but also the opposing force of air resistance. A practical example involves releasing a heavy test weight during a safety check on a ship. As the weight falls from rest, gravity accelerates it downward while air resistance exerts an upward force that increases with velocity. This dynamic interplay of forces is well described by differential equations, which provide a mathematical framework...

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Hydrodynamic drag during gliding in swimming.

Daniel A Marinho¹, Victor M Reis, Francisco B Alves

¹University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.

Journal of Applied Biomechanics

|October 16, 2009

Summary

Elite swimmers can reduce drag during underwater gliding by extending arms forward. This body position minimizes resistance compared to arms alongside the trunk, improving swimming efficiency.

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Area of Science:

Sports Science
Fluid Dynamics
Biomechanics

Background:

Understanding fluid dynamics is crucial for optimizing swimming performance.
Minimizing drag during submerged gliding is key for starts and turns.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze the impact of different body positions on drag coefficient during swimming glides.
To compare drag forces between arms-forward and arms-alongside-trunk gliding positions.

Main Methods:

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were employed.
The k-epsilon turbulent model within the Fluent software was utilized.
A 3D model of an adult male swimmer was used for analysis.

Main Results:

The arms-extended-at-the-front gliding position yielded lower drag coefficients.
The arms-alongside-the-trunk position resulted in higher drag coefficients.
Simulations covered velocities typical for elite swimmers (1.6–2.0 m/s).

Conclusions:

Swimmers should adopt an arms-forward position during submerged gliding for reduced drag.
This optimization is particularly relevant for underwater gliding during starts and turns.
The findings provide actionable insights for improving swimming technique.