CFD for Surfboards: Comparison between Three Different Designs in Static and Maneuvering Conditions

Abstract

The present paper aims to show the potential of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solvers for surfboard design and its applicability by comparing three different surfboards with minimal changes in design. In fact, surfboard manufacturing routines are moving towards more controlled and reproducible manufacturing processes, in particular Computer numerically controlled (CNC) shaping techniques. As a consequence, three dimensional (3D) computer models of the boards start to be available, and can be imported in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) programs. This opens up a new design methodology, where the performances of the different shapes can be studied and quantitatively evaluated, highlighting details that would be otherwise impossible to identify from a field test. The commercial CFD code STAR-CCM+ is used in the present work to compare the performance of three different surfboards, with different curvature at the bottom and different tail shapes. In the simulations, an Unsteady Reynolds Navier Stokes (URANS) approach is used, with the volume of fluid (VOF) method as free surface discretization method and the k-omega-SST turbulence model as numerical closure of the RANS equations. CFD proved to be a valid tool to compare the performances of the different shapes, bringing into light subtle but important differences between the designs. In particular, the static simulations showed that the rocker affects the performances by increasing the lift but also the drag of the board, also generating higher forces in maneuvering conditions. On the other hand, the tail shape did not affect the performances of the board in the analyzed cases.

Numerical Investigation of the Hydrodynamics of Changing Fin Positions within a 4-Fin Surfboard Configuration

“…The strategy of the numerical modeling applied here is similar to [2,13] and [14]. According to our previous study [11], the flow was computed based on the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations with the cell-center Finite-Volume-Method (FVM) [16] within the CFD software STAR-CCM+ (Siemens PLM Software, Plano, TX, USA).…”

Performance evaluation of humpback whale-inspired shortboard surfing fins based on ocean wave fieldwork

“…Although more research is needed, these results show that by switching to RW fins, it may be possible for a highly skilled surfer to gain a competitive advantage. Dynamic CFD research, similar to that of Oggiano and Pierella [58] that incorporates the air/water interface, may be useful in gaining a deeper understanding of performance differences observed in the field. We also envisage that testing our designs under ideal wave conditions (e.g.…”

Numerical CFD Investigation of Shortboard Surfing: Fin Design vs. Cutback Turn Performance

“…Dynamic CFD methods using STAR-CCM+ are similar to those detailed in [4,5]. Details of the domain and grid used, along with confirmation of mesh independence, are found in [4].…”

“…Limited research exists on the hydrodynamic performance of surfboards and surfboard fins, with most studies focusing on the fins [2,3], the board [4,5], or board plus fin interactions [6][7][8][9].…”