2022/07/10 by Federica Gattere, Gattere, Federica, Alessandro Chiarini +3 · 1 citation
Engineering · #Aerodynamics and Fluid Dynamics Research #FOS: Physical sciences #Fluid Dynamics (physics.flu-dyn) #Heat Transfer Mechanisms #Tribology and Lubrication Engineering
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2207.04446
openalex publication_date 2022/07/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Dimples are small concavities imprinted on a flat surface, known to affect heat transfer and also flow separation and aerodynamic drag on bluff bodies when acting as a standard roughness. Recently, dimples have been proposed as a roughness pattern that is capable to reduce the turbulent drag of a flat plate, by providing a reduction of skin friction that compensates the dimple-induced pressure drag, and leads to a global benefit. The question whether dimples do actually work to reduce friction drag is still unsettled. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of the available information, touching upon the many parameters that characterize the problem. A number of reasons that contribute to explaining the contrasting literature information are discussed. We also provide guidelines for future studies, by highlighting key methodological steps required for a meaningful comparison between a flat and dimpled surface in view of drag reduction.