Summary
A length of rope held at both ends bulges when exposed to cross flow. The paper shows experimentally for a wide range of length to span ratio that the rope takes the shape of a catenary known from pendant ropes or chains. This is explained by a model that includes pressure drag according to the cross flow principle and friction drag in a new way. The model is also successful in modelling the total drag which shows a minimum when plotted versus the length.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Kàrmàn, T. v., Biot, M. A.: Mathematical methods in engineering. New York: McGraw-Hill 1940.
Simpson, A., Tabarrok, B.: On the equilibrium configuration of a chain subjected to uniform fluid flow in a horizontal plane. Int. J. Mech. Sci.18, 91–94 (1976).
Hoerner, S. F.: Fluid-dynamic drag. Published by the author 1965.
Schlichting, H.: Boundary layer theory, 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill 1960.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Peters, F. Shape and drag of a bulging rope in uniform cross flow. Acta Mechanica 139, 161–170 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01170188
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01170188