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Drag reduction in a rectangular duct using riblets

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

A. R. Moore  and
M. V. Lowson
A. R. Moore
Affiliation:
Department of Aerospace EngineeringUniversity of Bristol, Bristol, UK
M. V. Lowson
Affiliation:
Department of Aerospace EngineeringUniversity of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Abstract

An experimental investigation has been made into the effects of riblets on the drag in a rectangular duct of aspect ratio 10. It has been found that a maximum drag reduction of approximately 10% occurs in fully developed turbulent flow. This figure is larger than the 6–8% drag reduction usually found for external flow. The maximum drag reduction occurred when the height of the riblets was between 7 and 13 wall units. Analysis of the developing region of the flow has shown a maximum drag reduction of approximately 8% at a wall unit value of 13, consistent with results in external flows. The effects of riblets on transition has also been investigated. It was found that riblets delayed transition by 2–4% in critical Re as measured by peak flatness, and caused some extension in the length of the transition process, so that the completion of transition was delayed by between 4–8%, with the stronger effect at the lower Reynolds numbers.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 99 , Issue 985 , May 1995 , pp. 187 - 193
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1995 

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