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Section B
CONDUCTED BY
SYED IMTIAZ ALI SHAH 2015436
MUHAMMAD ATIF 2015236
RAFIQ ULLAH 2015378
Contents
Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 4
Magnus effect application ............................................................................................................................ 4
Sports ............................................................................................................................................................ 4
Ships .............................................................................................................................................................. 5
Magnus effect rotors as wind turbine .......................................................................................................... 5
Ballistics......................................................................................................................................................... 6
Methodology................................................................................................................................................. 6
Sketching and modeling ................................................................................................................................ 6
Meshing......................................................................................................................................................... 7
Solution setup ............................................................................................................................................... 8
Results ......................................................................................................................................................... 11
Abstract
The project is aimed to study Magnus effect and its possible application in real world. A two
method approach is used in this project. Magnus effect is explained theoretically along with CFD
analysis in Ansys. Practically Magnus effect is verified by using rotating cups and rotating
football falling from a building. The lift generated by Magnus effect is very high but the friction
involves in it due to its high surface area is always a practical challenge. Additionally an insight
is given to how we can efficiently use Magnus effect in daily life and real world application.
Links to all videos and movies generated during CFD and practical are given at the end of
project.
Introduction
This project presents simulation study and practical demonstration of Magnus effect on a rotating
cylinder. Magnus effect often called (Magnus force) was discovered by H.G. Magnus in 1853. It
is a fluid dynamic phenomenon, in which he observed a force that was acting on rotating body
moving relative to the fluid and that was perpendicular to the direction of body motion. The force
is perpendicular to the velocity vector of the object. Air is moving from right to left and cylinder
is given clock wise rotation. The resulting Magnus force is acting in the downward direction
perpendicular to the direction of the air. Magnus effect is a common phenomenon that is associated
with rotating and spinning objects that drag air faster around one side, creating a difference in
pressure that moves it in the direction of the lower-pressure side. This effect can be observed when
rotating cylinder changes its path of motion from the arc it would have followed if it were not
rotating. It is often used by soccer players, baseball pitchers and cricket bowlers. Consequently,
the phenomenon is important in the study of the physics of many ball sports. It is also an important
factor in the study of the effects of spinning on guided missiles—and has some engineering uses,
for instance in the design of rotor ships and Flettner airplanes.
Sports
Magnus effect has got a tremendous importance in sports. In sports like cricket, baseball, tennis,
basketball, golf and football this effect is widely used to bend the flight of a ball. In all these sports
ball is spun in such a way that its axis of rotation is perpendicular to the direction of motion.
Direction of curvature is specified by direction of rotation. Air velocity due to spinning of ball
increase on one side thus creating low velocity region on the other side which results in high
pressure on the low velocity region, thus producing a net force on the ball. In this way ball is bent
from its straight path.
Ships
Magnus effect can be utilized in ships where rotor are used instead of propeller to push the ship in
sea. In 1924, Anton Flettner invented and built the first rotor ship Buckau (fig. 2). Flettner was
the first man who used Magnus effect for commercial purpose. Flettner used rotating cylinders to
generate a net drag force. Though his experiment was successful and he got the desired results,
but it was very less efficient as compared to other ships. Flettner’s inventions are still attractive
for energy optimized applications to this day. Scientist and engineers are working on applications
of Magnus effect in ships and submarine.
Methodology
For CFD analysis of Magnus effect Ansys version 16.0 is used. The simulation software is run
by Core i3 PC. Due to the low power of PC the accuracy of the result is compromised for saving
time. Many simulations are tried to check the effect of Magnus effect on different speed of
rotation and different air speed. Each simulation took up to 45 minutes. A movie of each
simulation is also generated in Ansys which took another 30-45 minutes. Different version of
simulation are obtained. The Magnus effect is show by using Vectors, Streamlines and contours
for pressure and velocity. Having slow power of our PC in our mind we rely upon 2D model as
3D model would take enormous time to complete.
This is velocity contours showing the stream lines over the cylinder.
https://youtu.be/p9jMemVCqZE
https://youtu.be/orOSHJ8oUxg
https://youtu.be/TuXqj4m-G_8
https://youtu.be/JueoKu_aSlA