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CFD Investigation of the Effect of the Salient Flow Features in the Wake of a Generic Open-Wheel Race Car

Newbon, Joshua; Dominy, Robert; Sims-Williams, David

CFD Investigation of the Effect of the Salient Flow Features in the Wake of a Generic Open-Wheel Race Car Thumbnail


Authors

Joshua Newbon

Robert Dominy



Abstract

It is well known that in motorsport the wake from an upstream vehicle can be detrimental to the handling characteristics of a following vehicle, in particular in formulae with high levels of downforce. Previous investigations have been performed to characterize the wake from an open wheel race car and its effect on a following car, either through the use of multiple vehicles or purpose-built wake generators.This study investigates how the wake of an upstream race car impacts the aerodynamic performance of a following car in a close-following scenario. Wakes are imposed on the inlet of a CFD simulation and wake parameters (eg: velocity deficit, trailing vorticity) are directly manipulated to investigate their individual impacts on the following vehicle.The approach provides a useful alternative to the simulation of multi-vehicle cases but a better simulation could be achieved by including wake unsteadiness from the upstream vehicle. Arguably the most significant impact of a wake on the following vehicle was found to be the rearward movement of the vehicle center of pressure. Secondary flow (eg: upwash, vorticity) on a bulk scale had the beneficial impact of moving the wake up and over the following vehicle but more localized impacts could be positive or negative according to the detailed interaction with downstream vehicle features.

Citation

Newbon, J., Dominy, R., & Sims-Williams, D. (2015). CFD Investigation of the Effect of the Salient Flow Features in the Wake of a Generic Open-Wheel Race Car. SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars - Mechanical Systems, 8(1), 217-232. https://doi.org/10.4271/2015-01-1539

Journal Article Type Article
Online Publication Date Apr 14, 2015
Publication Date Apr 14, 2015
Deposit Date Jul 21, 2017
Publicly Available Date Jul 21, 2017
Journal SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars - Mechanical Systems
Print ISSN 1946-3995
Electronic ISSN 1946-4002
Publisher SAE International
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 8
Issue 1
Pages 217-232
DOI https://doi.org/10.4271/2015-01-1539
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1373305

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Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2015 SAE International. This paper is posted on this site with permission from SAE International. It may not be shared, downloaded, duplicated, printed or transmitted in any manner, or stored on any additional repositories or retrieval system without prior written permission from SAE.





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