Quantitative analysis of fluid flow around the Towpedo via computational fluid dynamics

Authors

Matthew R. Medrano ⋅ PH National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman
Apolinario Miguel Tan ⋅ PH National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman
Aaron T. Hilomen ⋅ PH National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman
Maricor Soriano ⋅ PH National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman
Francis N. C. Paraan ⋅ PH National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman

Abstract

The Towpedo is a torpedo-shaped device used to conduct rapid and wide-range photographic surveys of shallow coral reefs. The objectives of this study were to determine the forces acting on a Towpedo moving in seawater and determine its drag coefficient via computational fluid dynamics. A computer generated model of the Towpedo was subjected to fluid tunnel simulations using computational fluid dynamic software. The results revealed regions of highest pressure at the nose of the Towpedo, while forces acting perpendicular to the direction of motion were relatively small compared to the drag force acting along the direction of flow. Resulting drag force was also found to exhibit a quadratic relationship with velocity, which is consistent with empirical models of drag. From these results, the drag coefficient of the Towpedo was determined.

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Issue

2017: Proceedings of the 35th Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas Physics Conference

Article ID

SPP-2017-3B-04

Section

Computational Physics and Simulations

Published

2017-06-07

How to Cite

[1]

MR Medrano, AM Tan, AT Hilomen, M Soriano, and FNC Paraan, Quantitative analysis of fluid flow around the Towpedo via computational fluid dynamics, Proceedings of the Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas 35, SPP-2017-3B-04 (2017). URL: https://proceedings.spp-online.org/article/view/213.