m
  


  
  



 Why Does it Matter?
i At high speed aerodynamic
effects play an enormous
role in car performance.
i By taking advantage of the
effects of lift racecars have
been able increase their
corning ability, which in
turn decreases lap time.
i Also by minimizing drag
they can maximize the top
speed of the car.
Source: Race Car Aerodynamics, J.
Katz, 1995
 Model Testing in a Wind Tunnel
i We used a 1/12 scale
model of a NASCAR,
because full-
full-scale
prototype testing is more
expensive and time
consuming
i By running the model in
wind tunnel at different
velocities we are able to
model different actual car
velocities, gathering
relevant information
concerning aerodynamics.
Source: Union College
 Model Testing
i Problems With Model Testing
i Not possible to match Reynolds Number
i Wind Tunnel cannot reach necessary speeds
i If it could, Mach number would be too large and weƞd have to
worry about compressibility
i Some ways to fix this problem are:
i A larger wind tunnel with larger models
i A different testing fluid with a higher density
i Pressurizing and/or adjusting the air temp in the wind tunnel
i Or in our case running the wind tunnel at several velocities and
extrapolating to determine useful information.
 The Experiments
i Week 1- Surface Pressure measurements
1-

i Week 2- Lift and Drag measurements

2-

i Week 3-- Particle Image Velocimetry, CFD

3
analysis
 Surface Pressure Measurments
i We used a model outfitted
with 17 pressure taps to take
pressure measurements at
different point.
i We measured the pressure at
2 different velocities 31 mph,
and 51.5 mph.
i Using these pressures we
calculated pressure
coefficients at different points
of the model.  
i Using Cp we can calculate





pressures at any given point  O  O 
on the actual NASCAR.
Results - Pressure
Coefficient of Pressure
 Lift and Drag
i The model, was connected to
a dynamometer that
measured force in both the x
and y direction, essentially lift
and drag.
Source: Brad Bruno
i This data was collected using
a data acquisition system as
well, and processed with a




PC.

 O  O  O 
i Using these measurements it
was possible to calculate lift
and drag on the car, as well 



as lift and drag coefficients.

 O  O  O 
 Results ƛ Lift
M

 

 






M

 





        
þ


þ


þ



 


Shows the Coefficient of Lift compared to the Reynolds Number of the experiment
 Results - Drag
M

  









M

  











        



 
Displays the coefficient of drag on the car compared to the Reynolds
Number of the Experiment.
 Particle Image Velocimetry
i PIV uses the wind tunnel
along with a double pulsed
laser technique to measure
instantaneous velocity and
to map out the flow field.
i This provides a visual
representation of the flow
along the vehicle,
streamlines and a
qualitative representation Source: Brad Bruno
of the velocities.
 Results - PIV

Flood Contour of Ford NASCAR

Streamline Contour of Ford NASCAR

 Results - PIV

Zoomed In view of back end of Zoomed in view of front end of NASCAR

NASCAR
 Computational Fluid Dynamics
i CFD is a mathematical
approach to modeling the
flow around a vehicle. It
uses an advanced computer
program to map the flow
field.
i Like PIV, CFD gives
qualitative representation of
the velocity and pressure
around the vehicle.
Source: Google Images
 Results ƛ CFD, Velocity

CFD of velocity of flow over car

 Results ƛ CFD, Pressure

CFD of velocity of flow over car

CFD of pressure distribution as a result of flow over car

 Results ƛ CFD, Cp

CFD of pressure coefficient as a result of flow over the car

Racecar Progression

i Reduction in aerodynamic
drag by streamlining the
shape of the vehicle
i Increase the down force,
negative lift, to increase
cornering speeds
i Raw hp vs. streamlining
The Proof is in the PIV
i The General
Lee has a box
like shape
which results in
a larger Drag
than a rounder
shape
Cd:
Cube = 2.2
Rounded Cube =
1.2
Sphere = 0.3
Triangle = 1.5
Charger vs NASCAR
 Drag on Charger vs. NASCAR
M

 
 
 








M 

 

D

D

D

D

D
DDDD DDDDD 
DDDD DDDD DDDD DDDD
DDDDD

DDDD
DDDD
DDDD
DDDD
ë

 Spoiler Effect
i The addition of a spoiler
on the car results in
greater downward force
(or negative lift) which
results in better
Source: Images.google.com
cornering
i The addition of a spoiler
also increases the
amount of drag on the
car
 With or Without Spoiler
M


 


  

  



M

          
þ 

þ 
ë

Why Drivers Draft
i Behind the car is a
low pressure/low
velocity pocket
which aids in the
reduction of drag
on the following car
i This increases
efficiency and speed
for both cars
Drafting

Courtesy of trickelfan.com
 What we learned
i The strides made in streamlining designs of cars
aided in decreasing the drag force along a
vehicle
i Spoilers create a larger down force on the
vehicle which helps in keeping the wheels in
solid contact with the ground at high speeds and
cornering
i These concepts together help increase speeds
and lap times which is the overall goal
 Is the data gathered useful?

i At High Reynolds Numbers the Coefficient

of Drag and the Coefficient of Lift level off
i We are in the transition area
i The trends of our data do not quite level
off so we can approximate the actual
coefficients but canƞt exactly place them