Computational Investigation of Aerodynamic Behaviour in Rubber O-Ring: Effects of Flow Velocity and Surface Topology

This report uses computational fluid dynamics (CFDs) to investigate the aerodynamics of a rubber O-ring, with a focus on assessing the influence of fluid velocity and surface topology whilst providing a detailed methodology that promotes correct procedures. A steady state scenario was set up, modelling laminar airflow across two O-rings with 5 μm and 100 μm surface finishes, respectively. Analysis showed that increasing the fluid velocity from 0.01 m/s to 2 m/s significantly translates the separation points downstream, consolidating wake regions behind the airfoil. The CFD simulations also infer that as the fluid velocity increases, the frictional drag coefficients decrease from 3.13 to 0.11, and the pressure drag coefficients increase from 0.55 to 0.6, implying that the recirculation of flowlines behind the O-ring becomes the most hindering factor on aerodynamics. Conversely, variations in surface roughness showed negligible effects on the flow field. This insensitivity is attributed to the low Reynolds number (Re) used in all simulations, where a roughness of 5 μm or 100 μm remains well within the laminar sublayer, therefore minimising their impact on boundary layer disruption and flow separation.