CFD NOZZLE FLOW OPTIMIZATION

This project models the 3D flight dynamics of a spinning ping‑pong ball by solving its full translational motion under aerodynamic drag and the Magnus effect. I used MATLAB’s ODE framework to set up the governing equations, and the simulation integrates gravity, velocity‑dependent drag, and spin‑induced lift to produce a trajectory that curves, dips, and arcs the way a real ball does. The force model combines gravity, quadratic drag, and spin‑generated lift through a cross‑product Magnus formulation.

For each run, I defined the initial position, velocity, and spin rate, and MATLAB’s ode45 solver carries the motion forward in time. The simulation generates a full set of 3D trajectory plots, axis‑aligned projections, and a table‑height collision mask that ends the path once the ball reaches the playing surface. A rendered ping‑pong table model provides spatial context so the curved flight path can be viewed inside realistic court dimensions.

By adjusting spin and velocity inputs, the model shows how lift coefficients, drag coefficients, and angular velocity influence curvature and descent. It becomes a compact study in aerodynamics, numerical integration, and physics‑based modeling, capable of replicating topspin, backspin, sidespin, and mixed spin profiles to illustrate how each one affects real‑world trajectories.

I structured the workflow so additional physical effects can be added without changing the overall pipeline. The model supports extensions like Reynolds‑dependent drag, spin‑rate decay, and contact dynamics to increase realism and broaden the range of behaviors it can capture.