An experimental study of football aerodynamics.
Lead Research Organisation:
Loughborough University
Department Name: Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering
Abstract
This PhD programme will concentrate on generating understanding of the flow-field around footballs and how this flow-field determines the aerodynamic performance. The work will start by investigating orientation and spinning effects using simplified geometries, for example balls with a single seam, to study how the seam orientation influences the flow-field depending on its relative location to the onset flow and how the effect alters with the locations on the ball and when the seam is orientated differently relative to the onset flow. Of particular interest will be the separation angle at different ball latitudes, the influence of the seam as trip or a 'rudder'. The effects of spinning will be investigated using phase locked techniques.
The later stages of work will be guided by early results but it is envisaged that the work will progressively consider more complex panel arrangements, seam geometries and the effects of surface roughness. There are a number of experimental tools available, including balance measurements, hotwire probes, pressure measurements and PIV flow-field measurements. The latter includes planar, stereoscopic and tomographic PIV systems.
The later stages of work will be guided by early results but it is envisaged that the work will progressively consider more complex panel arrangements, seam geometries and the effects of surface roughness. There are a number of experimental tools available, including balance measurements, hotwire probes, pressure measurements and PIV flow-field measurements. The latter includes planar, stereoscopic and tomographic PIV systems.
Publications
Ward, M
(2018)
Characterisation of football trajectories for assessing flight performance.
in Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology
Ward M
(2023)
The effect of surface geometry on the aerodynamic behaviour of a football
in Sports Engineering
Ward M
(2018)
Usage of Body-Fitted Windows in PIV Image Processing
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509516/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1843979 | Studentship | EP/N509516/1 | 01/01/2017 | 30/06/2020 | Matthew Ward |
| Description | The aerodynamic performance of a football is difficult to quantify; comments in the media often centre around the 'stability' or 'controllability' of a ball. From an engineering perspective, there needs to be quantifiable measurements from a flight to enable direct, meaningful comparisons and eventually the development of standards in the area. Work has been undertaken to develop some measurements on simulated flight paths; which will lead into some kind of perception study to say what these represent subjectively ('good' or 'bad'). Another aim is to build relationships between the surface features of a ball and their effects on the aerodynamic performance. Simple geometries have been tested using force measurements and planar, stereoscopic and tomographic PIV methods which have revealed much about the flow field behind a spinning sphere in a conventional or reverse Magnus effect. Data from this has also demonstrated the sensitivity of the flow behaviour to the ball surface features. A designed experiment of spheres with increasing amounts and complexity of surface features have been commissioned and will be tested in the wind tunnel. This parametric study will enable the impact of seams and texturing, both individually and in combination, on the flight performance of a football. |
| Exploitation Route | The flight characterisation measurement methods are being taken forward to be used in more subjective perception tests. This will enable relationships to be drawn between the characterisation measurements and players' perceptions on the 'stability' or even simply 'good' or 'bad'. If good correlations can be drawn, these can begin to construct standards for football flight. Once complete, the relationships between a football's features and it's performance can be used by ball designers to modify ball prototypes to ensure they meet any applicable aerodynamic standards. |
| Sectors | Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Other |
| Description | Football aerodynamics - adidas |
| Organisation | Adidas Group |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | adidas provide historical expertise and knowledge from designing footballs for many years. They have also provided bespoke prototypes for testing. In response, they will gain more scientifically acquired knowledge as to how changing the features on a ball will affect its aerodynamic performance. This will result in more effective future ball design. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Direct financial contribution. Provision of specimens to be tested. |
| Impact | Development of flight characterisation methods to enable effective quantification of a football's performance. This used test specimens supplied by adidas and the methods were discussed with their football deign teams to obtain feedback. • Ward M., Passmore M.A., Spencer A., Tuplin S., Harland A: Characterisation of Football Trajectories for Assessing Flight Performance; Proc. IMechE Pt. P J. Sport. Eng. Technol. (2018) doi: 10.1177/1754337118774414 |
| Start Year | 2017 |