Estimation of Aerodynamic Properties of a Spinning Table Tennis Ball Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis

Abstract

In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was used to calculate the aerodynamic coefficients (drag, lift, Magnus, and fluid torque) of a spinning table tennis ball. The simulation conditions included a translational velocity of 2.5–20 m/s and rotational velocity of 15–90 rps (Reynolds number: 6.6 × 10³–5.3 × 10⁴ and spin parameter: 0.094–4.524), and CFD analysis was performed to simulate the wind tunnel experiments. The Smagorinsky–Lilly LES model was used as the turbulence model. The calculated coefficients were in qualitative agreement with the experimental results from wind tunnel and flight experiments reported in various studies.