Air flow around the point of an arrow. (March 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Park, James L; Hodge, Michael R; Al-Mulla, Salam; Sherry, Michael; Sheridan, John
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Volume 227:Number 1(2013)
• Page Start: 64
• Page End: 69
• Publication Date: 2013-03
• Subjects: Arrow -- drag -- turbulence -- water channel -- particle image velocimetry; Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Sporting goods -- Design and construction -- Periodicals; Sports -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Biomechanics -- Periodicals; 613.71
• DOI: 10.1177/1754337111430569
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1754-3371

Abstract

The aerodynamic drag of an arrow is of importance in relation to the arrow's drift in wind and to its down-range velocity. A significant contributor to that drag is the viscous drag from the arrow shaft, and consequently the nature of air flow over the arrow point and the location of the transition from laminar to turbulent flow are of interest. In this paper the flow was investigated using a scale model in a water channel for two arrow point profiles and for circumferential gaps at the rear of the arrow point. The normal 'bullet point' was found to have laminar flow along the front of the shaft and transition at a Reynolds number of approximately 450, 000, and that circumferential gaps did not affect the flow. The frequently used 'short bulge point' was found to have flow separation at the rear taper of the point and turbulent flow for the full length of the shaft, which would be expected to result in greater drag than for the bullet point or for a bulge point with less aggressive rear taper.