Analysis of Drag Coefficients around Objects Created Using Log-Aesthetic Curves

Abstract

A fair curve with exceptional properties, called the log-aesthetic curves (LAC) has been extensively studied for aesthetic design implementations. However, its implementation in terms of functional design, particularly hydrodynamic design, remains mostly unexplored. This study examines the effect of the shape parameter α of LAC on the drag generated in an incompressible fluid flow, simulated using a semi-implicit backward difference formula coupled with P2−P1 Taylor–Hood finite elements. An algorithm was developed to create LAC hydrofoils that were used in this study. We analyzed the drag coefficients of 47 LAC hydrofoils of three sizes with various shapes in fluid flows with Reynolds numbers of 30, 40, and 100, respectively. We found that streamlined LAC shapes with negative α values, of which curvature with respect to turning angle are almost linear, produce the lowest drag in the incompressible flow simulations. It also found that the thickness of LAC objects can be varied to obtain similar drag coefficients for different Reynolds numbers. Via cluster analysis, it is found that the distribution of drag coefficients does not rely solely on the Reynolds number, but also on the thickness of the hydrofoil.