Flow field interactions between two tandem cyclists

Barry, Nathan; Burton, David; Sheridan, John; Thompson, Mark C.; Brown, Nicholas

doi:10.1007/s00348-016-2273-y

Cited by 24 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…This type of behaviour has previously been observed with other drafting bluff bodies such as racing cars [90]. Perhaps surprisingly recent investigations by Barry et al [93] show that the wake of a trailing cyclists remains largely unchanged compared to the wake of an isolated rider. This is despite significant differences in upstream flow conditions that exist for isolated and trailing riders and highlights the robustness of the formation of the large-scale wake vortices.…”

Section: Multi-rider Aerodynamics and Draftingsupporting

confidence: 66%

“…Second riders typically experience a 30-45% reduction in drag below their baseline, while subsequent riders typically experience a 35-55% reduction compared to their baselines. For riders behind the leader, not only does the wake of the rider that they are following reduce the pressure ahead of them, but the high-pressure region in front of the rider following them also reduces the pressure differential, further contributing to the total reduction in pressure drag [37,38,45,53,58,93,95].…”

Section: Multi-rider Aerodynamics and Draftingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Riding against the wind: a review of competition cycling aerodynamics

et al. 2017

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Aerodynamics has such a profound impact on cycling performance at the elite level that it has infiltrated almost every aspect of the sport from riding position and styles, equipment design and selection, race tactics and training regimes, governing rules and regulations to even the design of new velodromes. This paper presents a review of the aspects of aerodynamics that are critical to understanding flows around cyclists under racing conditions, and the methods used to evaluate and improve aerodynamic performance at the elite level. The fundamental flow physics of bluff body aerodynamics and the mechanisms by which the aerodynamic forces are imparted on cyclists are described. Both experimental and numerical techniques used to investigate cycling aerodynamic performance and the constraints on implementing aerodynamic saving measures at the elite level are also discussed. The review reveals that the nature of cycling flow fields are complex and multi-faceted as a result of the highly three-dimensional and variable geometry of the human form, the unsteady racing environment flow field, and the non-linear interactions that are inherent to all cycling flows. Current findings in this field have and will continue to evolve the sport of elite cycling while also posing a multitude of potentially fruitful areas of research for further gains in cycling performance.

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Section: Multi-rider Aerodynamics and Draftingsupporting

confidence: 66%

Section: Multi-rider Aerodynamics and Draftingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Riding against the wind: a review of competition cycling aerodynamics

et al. 2017

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“…Barry et al [14] reported mean drag savings of 5%, 45%, 55% and 57% for four cyclists positioned behind each other, respectively. Barry et al [15] also experimentally analysed the flow structures occurring in drafting. Parallels between tandem cycling and the physics of drafting can also be drawn with the work of Blocken and Toparlar [3] and Blocken et al [4], who investigated the aerodynamic benefit for a cyclist by a trailing/following car and motorcycle, respectively, which they attributed to the subsonic upstream disturbance typical of the elliptical character of the governing Navier-Stokes equations [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving CFD prediction of drag on Paralympic tandem athletes: influence of grid resolution and turbulence model

et al. 2017

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Tandem cycling enables visually impaired athletes to compete in cycling in the Paralympics. Tandem aerodynamics can be analysed by track measurements, wind-tunnel experiments and numerical simulations with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). However, the proximity of the pilot (front) and the stoker (rear) and the associated strong aerodynamic interactions between both athletes present substantial challenges for CFD simulations, the results of which can be very sensitive to computational parameters such as grid topology and turbulence model. To the best of our knowledge, this paper presents the first CFD and wind-tunnel investigation on tandem cycling aerodynamics. The study analyses the influence of the CFD grid topology and the turbulence model on the aerodynamic forces on pilot and stoker and compares the results with wind-tunnel measurements. It is shown that certain combinations of grid topology and turbulence model give trends that are opposite to those shown by other combinations. Indeed, some combinations provide counterintuitive drag outcomes with the stoker experiencing a drag force up to 28% greater than the pilot. Furthermore, the application of a blockage correction for two athlete bodies in close proximity is investigated. Based on a large number of CFD simulations and validation with wind-tunnel measurements, this paper provides guidelines for the accurate CFD simulation of tandem aerodynamics.

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“…Aerodynamic optimisation has become a key element of competitive cycling in recent years [1]. Numerous studies have been conducted to quantify and understand aerodynamic drag in cycling [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. It has been shown for a competitive able-bodied cyclist that drag reductions in the order of 20% with respect to a traditional athlete's posture can be obtained through refinements and adjustments of cycling positions/postures, while remaining within the boundaries of the rules set by the union cycliste internationale (UCI) [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of pilot and stoker torso angles in tandem para-cycling aerodynamics

et al. 2019

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The torso angle of a cyclist is a key element to consider when attaining aerodynamic postures. For athletes competing in the tandem para-cycling category as the pilot or stoker, the torso angles are similar to those adopted by able-bodied athletes. However, their aerodynamic interaction is not yet fully understood. To date, there has been no study to identify aerodynamically advantageous torso angles for tandem athletes. In this study, numerical simulations with computational fluid dynamics and reduced-scale wind tunnel experiments were used to study the aerodynamics of tandem cyclists considering 23 different torso angle combinations. The sagittal torso angle combination of the pilot and stoker that yielded the lowest overall drag area of 0.308 m 2 (combined pilot, stoker and bicycle) was 25° for the pilot coupled with 20° for the stoker. The results suggest that higher torso angles for the pilot have a lower impact on the overall drag area than equivalent torso angles for the stoker. This study suggests that a slight relaxation of pilot torso angle (which may help increase power output) may not penalise aerodynamics, in low (< 25°) sagittal torso angle ranges.

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Flow field interactions between two tandem cyclists

Cited by 24 publications

References 33 publications

Riding against the wind: a review of competition cycling aerodynamics

Riding against the wind: a review of competition cycling aerodynamics

Improving CFD prediction of drag on Paralympic tandem athletes: influence of grid resolution and turbulence model

Impact of pilot and stoker torso angles in tandem para-cycling aerodynamics

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