Citation:
R. F. Soares, S. M. Goñalons Olives, A. P. Knowles, et al., On the aerodynamics of an enclosed-wheel racing car: an assessment and proposal of add-on devices for a fourth, high-performance configuration of the DrivAer model. WCX18: World Congress Experience, 10-12 April 2018, Detroit, MI, USA. SAE Technical Papers, paper number 2018-04-03
Abstract:
A modern benchmark for passenger cars – DrivAer model – has
provided significant contributions to aerodynamics-related topics in
automotive engineering, where three categories of passenger cars have
been successfully represented. However, a reference model for highperformance
car configurations has not been considered appropriately
yet. Technical knowledge in motorsport is also restricted due to
competitiveness in performance, reputation and commercial gains. The
consequence is a shortage of open-access material to be used as
technical references for either motorsport community or academic
research purposes.
In this paper, a parametric assessment of race car aerodynamic devices
are presented into four groups of studies. These are: (i) forebody
strakes (dive planes), (ii) front bumper splitter, (iii) rear-end spoiler,
and (iv) underbody diffuser. The simplified design of these add-ons
focuses on the main parameters (such as length, position, or incidence),
leading to easier manufacturing for experiments and implementation
in computational studies. Consequently, a proposed model aims to
address enclosed-wheel racing car categories, adapting a simplified,
35% scaled-model DrivAer Fastback shape (i.e. smooth underbody, no
wheels, and with side mirrors).
Experimental data were obtained at the 8ft x 6ft Cranfield Wind Tunnel
using an internal balance for force and moment measurements. The
aerodynamic performance of each group of add-on was assessed
individually in a range of ride heights over a moving belt. All cases
represent the vehicle at a zero-yaw condition, Reynolds number (car
length-based) of 4.2 × 106 and Mach number equal to 0.12. The
proposed high-performance configuration (DrivAer hp-F) was tested
and a respective Reynolds number dependency study is also provided.
In line with the open-access concept of the DrivAer model, the CAD
geometry and experimental data will be made available online to the
international community to support independent studies.