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3D numerical simulation analysis of passive drag near free surface in swimming

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Abstract

The aim of this work is to build a 3D numerical model to study the characteristics of passive drag on competitive swimmers taking into account the impact of the free surface. This model solves the 3D incompressible Navier-Stokes equations using RNG k-ɛ turbulence closure. The volume of fluid (VOF) method is used to locate the free surface. The 3D virtual model is created by Computer Aided Industrial Design (CAID) software, Rhinoceros. Firstly, a specific posture of swimming is studied. The simulation results are in good agreement with the data from mannequin towing experiments. The effects of a swimmer’s arms and legs positions on swimming performance are then studied. Finally, it is demonstrated that the present method is capable of simulating gliding near the free surface.

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Correspondence to Jie-min Zhan  (詹杰民).

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This work was financially supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China.

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Zhan, Jm., Li, Tz., Chen, Xb. et al. 3D numerical simulation analysis of passive drag near free surface in swimming. China Ocean Eng 29, 265–273 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13344-014-0080-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13344-014-0080-x

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