Automotive Aerodynamics

Automotive aerodynamics is the study of the aerodynamics of road vehicles. Its main goals are reducing drag and wind noise, minimizing noise emission, and preventing undesired lift forces and other causes of aerodynamic instability at high speeds. Air is also considered a fluid in this case. For some classes of racing vehicles, it may also be important to produce downforce to improve traction and thus cornering abilities.

Objectives:

Describe three factors important to the performance of a CO2-powered rocket car
Calculate the area of a solid’s planar face
Calculate the volume of a solid, and, when given the density, calculate the mass
Create a new assembly
Insert components
Add mating relationships between components.
Use Additive Manufacturing to build it and make it ready for racing.

Blank Part

Full Part

Hole Construction

Car Body

Full Part

Construction Images

Front Rim

Full Part

Revolve Construction

Front Rim Spokes

Full Part

Lofted Spoke Construction

Circular Pattern/Fillets

Front Tire

Full Part

Revolve Construction

Rear Rim

Full Part

Circular Pattern Cut Construction

Rear Rim Spokes

Full Part

Lofted Spoke Construction

Pattern Construction

Rear Tire

Full Part

Revolve Construction

Wheel Assemblies

Front Wheel Assembly

Rear Wheel Assembly

Axles

Full Part

Extrude Construction

Washer

Full Part

Revolve Construction

Cartridge

Full Part

Revolve Construction

Full Assembly

Drawing

Full Assembly

Flow Simulation - Both Wheels VS. Only Front

flow sim spheres.mp4

Sphere Animation (both)

flow sim front spheres.avi

Sphere Animation (front)

SHELL CAR FLOW SIM.avi

Trajectory Animation (both)

flow sim front arrows.avi

Trajectory Animation (front)

Surface Plot (both)

Surface Plot (front)

Lift/Drag Data (both)

Lift/Drag Data (front)

Drag Chart (both)

Drag Chart (front)

Lift Chart (both)

Lift Chart (front)

Personal Car Design - Dominus

Side View Reference

Multiple Views Reference

Body Extrusion

Various Fillets

Axle Holes

Cartridge Hole Extrusion

Cartridge Hole

Guideline Loft

Guideline Center Hole

Flow Simulation

Surface Plot

Drag/Lift Chart

Data Table

trajectory.avi

Trajectory Animation

Redesign and Print

Rear Vent holes and chamfer

New front fillets

Vent Holes

Surface Plot

Drag and Lift Line Chart

trajectory.avi

Trajectory

Prints

Top: Slicer Image

Bottom: Layers GIF

Right: Final Print

Race Trials

Note: All data for all races is listed below the videos

race 1 front.mov

Race #1

My car started 0.49 seconds after the opposing car, resulting in the need to play the video back to find the real trial time. The time on the clock is wrong.

race 1 back.mov

Back View

race 1 side.mov

Side View

race 2 front.MOV

Race #2

The wheels came off of the axle making the time slower. Also, the guideline hole broke at the end, and needed to be repaired for the next race.

race 2 back.mov

Back View

race 2 side.MOV

Side View

race 3 front.MOV

Race #3

The wheels came off of the axle again. The guideline hole was hot glued back into place for this test.

race 3 back.mov

Back View

race 3 side.MOV

Side View

Race Data

Data Table

red details the lowest/worst numbers out of the trials
green details the best/highest numbers out of the trials

Data and Calculation Notes

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