An experimental investigation on the aerodynamic drag coefficient and surface roughness properties of sport textiles

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to determine the effect of surface roughness of textiles used in higher speed sports on aerodynamic properties such as drag. Data acquired using cylindrical methodology is used to quantify the relationship between the aerodynamic drag coefficient and Reynolds numbers (Re) ranging from 1.0 × 105 to 2.4 × 105 for different sports textiles with relative roughness (ϵ) between 2.58 × 104 and 7.38 × 104. The findings indicate that a textile with high roughness value (ϵ = 5.42 × 104) produces minimum drag coefficient at low Re than textiles with low roughness value (ϵ = 4.73 × 104). Correlations among the minimum drag coefficient, critical Reynolds numbers and relative roughness of textile surfaces are also established.