The effect of attack angle on the base flow velocity distribution of an archery arrow

Abstract

The flow past an archery bare-shaft arrow was numerically studied for the angle of attack, α, in a range of 0-3.0 degrees. The Reynolds number, Re, based on the arrow diameter was varied as 10000, 15000 and 20000, and the length of the shaft was fixed at about 120. Two kinds of arrow point, S-type and B-type, were adopted. The numerical result showed that the boundary layer flow on the shaft was steady for Re=10000 and 15000 at α=0 degrees for both types of arrow point. For S-type point at Re=15000, it was steady up to α=0.6 degrees and unsteady for α ≧ 0.8 degrees. Within this range of α, the drag and lift of the arrow was found to be in good agreement with wind tunnel experiment.