Journal
NATURE
Volume 420, Issue 6915, Pages 479-481Publisher
NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
DOI: 10.1038/nature01232
Keywords
-
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The classical theory of high-speed flow(1) 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 wind(2). The reconfiguration of bodies by fluid forces is common in nature, and can result in a substantial drag reduction that is beneficial for many organisms(3,4). Experimental studies of such flow-structure interactions(5) 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.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available