An investigation of the effect of biomimetic tubercles on the drag of a flat plate

The present work describes a CFD study of the effect of biomimetic tubercles on a flat plate. These tubercles are inspired by those observed on the head and pectoral fins of the humpback whale (Megaptera Novaeangliae). Extensive research has been carried out in recent years on the effect of sinusoidal tubercles on the leading edge of wing profiles and marine foils, showing a general improvement in the post-stall performance and in terms of lift-to-drag ratio. In this work, the authors investigated the effect of similar sinusoidal tubercles on a flat, smooth plate. Various combinations of the tubercle arrangements were positioned at different points along the length of the plate, and the change in the drag characteristics of the plate is investigated. The drag of the plate with tubercles is compared to that of a smooth flat plate of identical dimensions; the flow quality is described, in particular in terms of pressure distribution and flow speed in the proximity of the plate. The future implementation of this research will include a systematic variation of the geometry and distribution of the tubercles, and physical tests performed with the Fully Turbulent Flow Channel that is being built at the University of Strathclyde, UK. Therefore, there will be a short reporting on the design and commissioning of this facility in the paper too