Golf ball Aerodynamics, CFD Analyse

ANSYS Fluent Aerodynamic Study of a Dimpled Golf Ball

Problem Statement

This work uses ANSYS Fluent to investigate, under particular conditions, the aerodynamic performance of a dimpled golf ball relative to a smooth spherical.  To grasp their aerodynamic behavior, both objects are investigated with a velocity of 94 meters per second and a zero-degree angle of attack.

Introduction

Quasi-experimental aerodynamic coefficients in dynamic simulations might contain mistakes.  A more exact approach for computing these coefficients and calibrating those acquired using semi-experimental software is computational fluid dynamics (CFD).  This work computes and validates aerodynamic coefficients for enhanced accuracy using numerical simulations in ANSYS Fluent.

Golf Ball Geometry & Mesh

Geometry and Meshing Approach

The work contrasts a smooth spherical with a dimpled golf ball.  Accurate results in numerical simulations depend on high-quality mesh generating.  The rest uses an unstructured grid; the boundary layer of the geometry is meshed using a prism grid.  Combining Octree and Delaunay techniques with ICEM software guarantees seamless mesh production appropriate for the complex geometrical features such as dimples.

Solution Settings

Numerical Setup

• Software: ANSYS Fluent
• Mode: Steady-state simulation applied with a pressure-based solution.
• Fluid Properties: The fluid in the experiment is air, with qualities fit for incompressible flow.

Boundary Conditions

• Inlet: Velocity at 94 m/s.
• Outlet: Pressure outlet having 0 Pascal's gauge pressure.
• Wall: Conditions of stationary wall applied to the object surfaces.

Models and Methods

• Turbulence Model: Realizable K-epsilon having a standard wall function.
• Discretization: Second order for pressure and first order upwind for other variables.

Convergence

Residuals less than 10e-3 mark convergence, guaranteeing a stable and precise solution.

Results & Discussion

Important results derived from the simulation consist in:

• Flow Characteristics: At high Reynolds numbers, dimpled surface roughness enhances turbulence in the boundary layer and delays flow separation, hence increasing momentum on the surface.  Drag force falls as a result.
• Drag Coefficient Analysis: The fast separation of the flow at low Reynolds numbers produces comparable drag coefficients for both smooth and dimpled spheres.

Especially under different flow conditions, the study clarifies how dimples on a golf ball affect its aerodynamic performance.  Together with a thorough training film, access to geometry and mesh data offers further understanding of the process of solving problems and result extraction.