Thermal fluid analysis of wheelchair marathon

Abstract

In this research, we aim to visualize the heat and flow field around the athlete model using numerical fluid dynamics analysis (CFD), and examine the running attitude and the heat and aerodynamic performance around the athlete. In this study, we use general-purpose thermal fluid analysis software STAR-CCM + to obtain heat and aerodynamics around the athlete by numerical analysis due to the difference in posture during running. Four thermal analysis patterns and three aerodynamic analysis patterns were carried out. As a result, the difference in the running attitude causes a difference in the surface temperature of the athlete. By setting an angle to the running attitude rather than being perpendicular to the ground, the amount of heat transfer decreases and the surface area average temperature increases. On the other hand, the aerodynamic performance decreases with increasing angle of the upper body. Further, the temperature around the athlete model is lower in the traveling posture positioned behind the traveling posture where the arm position is located at the front.