Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2025
DOI
10.1063/5.0304050
Publication Title
Physics of Fluids
Volume
37
Issue
12
Pages
127141
Abstract
Many objects such as low length-to-diameter ratio cylinders and some planetary entry capsules are known to experience spontaneous and/or self-sustained "tumbling" rotations about a transverse axis. This study quantifies the tumbling frequency and the associated lateral aerodynamic (Magnus) force as well as increased drag for a range of geometries in subsonic flow. Experiments were conducted using a unique wind tunnel magnetic suspension system, hence are free of support interference. All non-spherical geometries exhibited sustained tumbling behavior with the tumbling frequency proportional to flow velocity. It was found that certain geometries exhibit multiple stable "lock-in" frequencies.
Rights
© Copyright 2026 AIP Publishing LLC. All rights reserved.
This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and AIP Publishing. This article appeared in
Britcher, C. P., Hull, C., Schoenenberger, M., & Shehata, H. (2025). Self-sustained tumbling of bluff bodies at low speeds. Physics of Fluids, 37(12), 1-8, Article 127141.
and may be found at https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0304050.
Original Publication Citation
Britcher, C. P., Hull, C., Schoenenberger, M., & Shehata, H. (2025). Self-sustained tumbling of bluff bodies at low speeds. Physics of Fluids, 37(12), 1-8, Article 127141. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0304050
ORCID
0009-0004-2090-512X (Britcher)
Repository Citation
Britcher, Colin P.; Hull, Caleb; Schoenenberger, Mark; and Shehata, Hisham, "Self-Sustained Tumbling of Bluff Bodies at Low Speeds" (2025). Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications. 195.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/mae_fac_pubs/195