TITLE:
Experimental Verification for the Application Feasibility of Buckingham Pi Theorem in Designing a Scaled Model of Flagellated Swimmer with Traditional Resistive Force Theory
AUTHORS:
Ouliang Jin
KEYWORDS:
Micro AUV, Bionic-Robot, Flagellum Motor, Low Reynolds Number
JOURNAL NAME:
Modern Mechanical Engineering,
Vol.11 No.3,
August
31,
2021
ABSTRACT: The microstructure of bacterial is an important reference to design
underwater swimmers. Applying Buckingham Pi Theorem is a possible method to
build a scaled model based on a theoretical flagellum designed with traditional
Resistive Force Theory. By making a scaled model, the forward velocity could be
obtained to verify the application feasibility of Buckingham Pi Theorem in such
designs. The optimal value of the model’s pitch angle can be calculated with
the traditional RFT as well as the forward velocity. Comparing the experimental
results with the results of theoretical calculations, it is found that the
experimental and calculated results are consistent, which means Buckingham Pi
Theorem works well in such design of underwater swimmer.