Comparison by computer fluid dynamics of the drag force acting upon two helmets for wheelchair racers

• Main Authors: Forte, P., Marinho, D. A., Morouço, P., Pascoal-Faria, P., Barbosa, T. M.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerodynamic drag; Aerodynamics; Computational fluid dynamics; Computer simulation; Helmets; Mathematical models; Wheelchairs
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/1.4992669

The aim of this study was to compare the drag force created by two helmets (time trial and road)used by a wheelchair racer. The head and helmet of the racer were scanned to obtain the3D models. Numerical simulation was run on Fluent, having as output the drag force for both helmets (road and time trial) in two different positions (0° and 90°) and increasing velocities (from 2.0 to 6.5 m/s). The greatest aerodynamic drag was noted wearing a time trial helmet in 90° ranging from 0.1025N to 0.8475N; this was also the position with the highest drag. The velocity with higher drag for booth helmets was at 6.5 m/s. The time trial helmet at 0° had the lower aerodynamic drag, compared with the same position of road helmet. The drag force seems to be lower wearing the time trial helmet and keeping the 0° position and, thus, should be considered for sprinting events.