This paper shows that the cage does not influence greatly the airflow pattern in comparison with the one observed in REB configuration without a cage. The thickness has an influence on the maximum and negative pressure coefficient values on the balls surface. This leads to a modification of the drag force exerted by the flow besides the fact that the frontal area value varies. As a consequence the drag coefficient formulation must be adapted, and its value remains nearly constant since the flows are similar whatever the cage thickness value.
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