The effect of a soccer ball’s surface texture on its aerodynamics and flight trajectory is not definitively known. For this study, five soccer balls were used, each having 32 panels with different surface textures. Their aerodynamics were examined via wind-tunnel experiments and then several non-spin trajectories were calculated for each ball. The results showed that the aerodynamic forces acting on a soccer ball change significantly depending on the surface texture of the ball, which in turn influences flight trajectories. The study contributes to an understanding of how a soccer ball’s surface influences the aerodynamics, which may impact the future design and development of soccer balls.
GoffJEAsaiTHongS.A comparison of Jabulani and Brazuca non-spin aerodynamics. Proc IMechE, Part P: J Sports Engineering and Technology2014; 228: 188–194.
2.
HongSAsaiT.Effect of panel shape of soccer ball on its flight characteristics. Sci Rep2014; 4: 5068.
3.
GoffJEHongSAsaiT.Aerodynamic and surface comparisons between Telstar 18 and Brazuca. Proc IMechE, Part P: J Sports Engineering and Technology2018; 232: 342–348.
4.
AlamFChowdhuryHMoriaH, et al. Aerodynamics of contemporary FIFA soccer balls. Procedia Engineer2014; 13: 188–193.
5.
AlamFChowdhuryHStemmerM, et al. Effects of surface structure on soccer ball aerodynamics. Procedia Engineer2012; 34: 146–151.
6.
AsaiTItoSSeoK, et al. Characteristics of modern soccer balls. Procedia Engineer2012; 34: 122–127.
7.
AsaiTSeoK.Aerodynamic drag of modern soccer balls. SpringerPlus2013; 2: 171.
8.
AsaiTSeoKKobayashiO, et al. Fundamental aerodynamics of the soccer ball. Sports Eng2007; 10: 101–110.
9.
MizotaTKurogiKOhyaY, et al. The strange flight behaviour of slowly spinning soccer balls. Sci Rep2013; 3: 1871.
10.
OggianoLSætranL.Aerodynamics of modern soccer balls. Procedia Engineer2010; 2: 2473–2479.
11.
MehtaRD.Aerodynamics of sports balls. Annu Rev Fluid Mech1985; 17: 151–189.
12.
PassmoreMRogersDTuplinS, et al. The aerodynamic performance of a range of FIFA-approved footballs. Proc IMechE, Part P: J Sports Engineering and Technology2012; 226: 61–70.
13.
GoffJECarréMJ.Trajectory analysis of a soccer ball. Am J Phys2009; 77: 1020–1027.
14.
HongSAsaiTSeoK.Visualization of air flow around soccer ball using a particle image velocimetry. Sci Rep2015; 5: 15108.
15.
AchenbachE.The effects of surface roughness and tunnel blockage on the flow past spheres. J Fluid Mech1974; 61: 113–125.
BarberSCarréMJ.The effect of surface geometry on soccer ball trajectories. Sports Eng2010; 13: 47–55.
18.
HongSChungCNakayamaM, et al. Unsteady aerodynamic force on a knuckleball in soccer. Procedia Engineer2010; 2: 2455–2460.
19.
GoffJEHobsonCMAsaiT, et al. Wind-tunnel experiments and trajectory analyses for five nonspinning soccer balls. Procedia Engineer2016; 147: 32–37.
20.
PassmoreMATuplinSStawskiA.The real-time measurement of football aerodynamic loads under spinning conditions. Proc IMechE, Part P: J Sports Engineering and Technology2017; 231: 262–274.
