Synergistic integration of computational fluid dynamics and experimental fluid dynamics for ground effect aerodynamics studies

Abstract

This article highlights the 'synergistic' use of experimental fluid dynamics (EFD) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), where the two sets of simulations are performed concur rently and by the same researcher. In particular, examples from the area of ground effect aero dynamics are discussed, where the major facility used was also designed through a combination of CFD and EFD. Three examples are than outlined, to demonstrate the insight that can be obtained from the integration of CFD and EFD studies. The case studies are the study of dimple flow (to enhance aerodynamic performance), the analysis of a Formula-style front wing and wheel, and the study of compressible flow ground effect aerodynamics. In many instances, CFD has been used to not only provide complementary information to an experimental study, but to design the experiments. Laser-based, non-intrusive experimental techniques were used to provide an excellent complement to CFD. The large datasets found from both experimental and numerical simulations have required a new methodology to correlate the information; a new post-processing method has been developed, making use of the kriging and co-kriging estima tors, to develop correlations between the often disparate data types.

The effect of static deformation on the lift loss phenomenon of an ABS downforce producing wing in ground effect

“…Furthermore, to determine the performance variations of the wing as a result of its deflection, predicting the forces and pressure variation is expected to be the most vital parameters. Previous studies 16,[20][21][22][23][24][25] have already demonstrated the effectiveness of RANS modelling for predicting the aerodynamic loads, pressure distribution and the time average flow structures of a downforce producing wing in ground effect when using either the k2v SST 21 or k2e realisable. 26 The choice of the turbulence model is further described in section 2.6.1.…”

Modeling of a Novel Coaxial Ducted Fan Aerial Robot Combined with Corner Environment by Using Artificial Neural Network

“…This is an unsteady aerodynamic problem. In the past, for such problems, the aerodynamic interference between the prototype and the environment in different scenarios were generally obtained through CFD [ 2 , 3 , 4 ] and wind tunnel experiments [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. However, CFD simulation and wind tunnel experiments also have certain limitations.…”

Numerical analysis of the effect of the change in the ride height on the aerodynamic front wing–wheel interactions of a racing car

“…As recently as 2006, it was acknowledged in two separate reviews of racing vehicle aerodynamics that the physics associated with the interaction of the wings and the front wheels remained poorly understood 3 and that more research was required on the topic. 4 Downforce-producing wings [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] and wheels [17][18][19][20][21] as individual components have been relatively thoroughly studied in the last 20 years, with an increasing focus on using numerical approaches to understand, in particular, the complexities of wheel wakes which are not easily revealed from wind-tunnel testing alone.…”