Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rdxmf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T01:41:40.053Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Flow compressibility effects around an open-wheel racing car

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 January 2016

J. Keogh ,
G. Doig  and
S. Diasinos
J. Keogh*
Affiliation:
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
G. Doig*
Affiliation:
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
S. Diasinos*
Affiliation:
Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
*
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

A numerical investigation has been conducted into the influence of flow compressibility effects around an open-wheeled racing car. A geometry was created to comply with 2012 F1 regulations. Incompressible and compressible CFD simulations were compared – firstly with models which maintained Reynolds number as Mach number increased, and secondly allowing Mach number and Reynolds number to increase together as they would on track. Results demonstrated significant changes to predicted aerodynamic performance even below Mach 0·15. While the full car coefficients differed by a few percent, individual components (particularly the rear wheels and the floor/diffuser area) showed discrepancies of over 10% at higher Mach numbers when compressible and incompressible predictions were compared. Components in close ground proximity were most affected due to the ground effect. The additional computational expense required for the more physically-realistic compressible simulations would therefore be an additional consideration when seeking to obtain maximum accuracy even at low freestream Mach numbers.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 118 , Issue 1210 , December 2014 , pp. 1409 - 1431
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Agathangelou, B. and Gascoyne, M. Aerodynamic considerations of a formula one racing car, SAE Technical Paper, 1998, 980399, doi:10.4271/980399.Google Scholar
2. Katz, J. Aerodynamics of race cars, Annu Rev of Fluid Mech, 2006, 38, pp 27–63.Google Scholar
3. Dominy, R.G. Aerodynamics of Grand Prix car, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 1992, 206, pp 267–274.Google Scholar
4. Zhang, X., Toet, W. and Zerihan, J. Ground effect aerodynamics of race cars, Applied Mechanics Reviews, 2006, 59, pp 33–49.Google Scholar
5. Toet, W. Aerodynamics and aerodynamic research in Formula 1, Aeronaut J, January 2013, 11 7, (1187) pp 1–26.Google Scholar
6. FIA, 2012 Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, Section 22, Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile. See also URL: http://www.formula1.com/inside_f1/rules_and_regulations/ Google Scholar
7. Doig, G., Barber, T.J., Leonardi, E. and Neely, A.J. The onset of compressibility effects for an inverted aerofoil in ground effect, Aeronaut J, 2007, 111, (1126), pp 797–806.Google Scholar
8. Doig, G., Barber, T.J. and Neely, A.J. The infuence of compressibility on the aerodynamics of an inverted wing in ground effect, ASME J Fluids Eng, 2011, 133, (6), pp 1–12.Google Scholar
9. Zhang, X. and Zerihan, J. Aerodynamics of a double-element wing in ground effect, AIAA J, 2003, 41, (6), pp 1007–1016.Google Scholar
10. Pakkam, S.S. High downforce aerodynamics for motorsports, Master’s thesis, North Carolina State University, USA, 2011.Google Scholar
11. Diasinos, S. The Aerodynamic Interaction of a Rotating Wheel and a Downforce Producing Wing in Ground Effect, PhD thesis, University of New South Wales, Australia, 2009.Google Scholar
12. Saddington, A.J., Knowles, R.D. and Knowles, K. Laser Doppler anemometry measurements in the near-wake of an isolated Formula One wheel, Experiments in Fluids, 2007, 42, (5), pp 671–681.Google Scholar
13. Barber, T.J., Leonardi, E. and Archer, R.D. Causes for discrepancies in ground effect analyses, Aeronaut J, 2002, 106, (1066) pp 653–657.Google Scholar
14. Roacher, P.J. Quantifcation of uncertainty in computational fuid dynamics, Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics, 1997, 29, pp 123–160.Google Scholar
15. Zerihan, J. and Zhang, X. Aerodynamics of a single element wing in ground effect, J Aircr, 2000, 37, (6), pp 1058–1064.Google Scholar
16. Fackrell, J.E. The Aerodynamics of an Isolated Wheel Rotating in Contact with the Ground, PhD thesis, University of London, London, UK, 1975.Google Scholar
17. Zerihan, J. An Investigation into the Aerodynamics of Wings in Ground Effect, PhD. thesis, University of Southampton, School of Engineering Sciences, UK, 2001.Google Scholar
18. Shih, T.H., Liou, W.W., Shabir, A., Yang, Z. and Zhu, J. A new k-e eddy viscosity model for high reynolds number turbulent fows, Computers Fluids, 1995, 24, (3), pp 227–238.Google Scholar
19. Menter, F.R. Two-equation eddy-viscosity turbulence models for engineering applications, AIAA J, 1994, 32, (8), pp 69–289.Google Scholar
20. Spalart, P.R. and Allmaras, S.R. A one-equation turbulence model for aerodynamic fows. In AIAA, 30th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Reno, NV, USA, 6-9 January 1992.Google Scholar
21. Doig, G. and Barber, T.J. Considerations for numerical modelling of low aspect ratio inverted wings in ground effect, AIAA J, 2011, 49, pp 2330–2333.Google Scholar
22. Mahon, S. and Zhang, X. Computational analysis of an inverted double-element aerofoil in ground effect, ASME J Fluids Eng, 2006, 128, pp 1172–1180.Google Scholar
23. McManus, J. and Zhang, X. A computational study of the fow around an isolated wheel in contact with ground, J Fluids Eng, 2006, 128, (3) pp 520–530.Google Scholar
24. Axerio-Cilies, J. and Iaccarino, G. An aerodynamic investigation of an isolated rotating Formula 1 wheel assembly, J Fluids Eng, 2012, 134, (12), pp 1–16.Google Scholar
25. Dassanayake, P.R.K., Ramachandran, D., Salati, L., Barber, T.J. and Doig, G. Unsteady computational simulation of the fow structure of an isolated wheel in contact with the ground, Proceedings of the 18th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, Launceston, Australia, 3-7 Dec 2012.Google Scholar
26. Van Den Berg, M.A. and Zhang, X. The aerodynamic interaction between an inverted wing and a rotating wheel, J Fluids Eng, 2009, 131, (10), pp 101–114.Google Scholar