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.

CO2 Rail Car (Tutorial)

Body Rail Construction

Images of the blank, side cut, front wheel standoff, rear fender, cockpit loft, and the completed body rail

Thin Wheel Construction

Images of the creation of the thin rim, thin tire, and complete thin wheel

Fat Wheel Construction

Images of the creation of the fat rim, fat tire, and complete fat wheel

Fully Assembled Car

Engineering Drawing-Railcar

Railcar FLOWSIM Data

Lift

Drag

Railcar FLOWSIM Animation

CO2 Race Car

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.

RESEARCH - The Physics of Racing Vehicles

The Physics of Racing

Physics—in particular, aerodynamics—plays a fundamental role in race car design. Championship racing teams spend millions of dollars on aerodynamic research every year. Here are some key physics principles of racing:

Downforce

High speeds cause lift, which affects the handling of a car. Downforce keeps the tires gripped to the ground. Wings, fins, and spoilers improve handling by increasing downforce as air flows over them at different speeds and different distances.

Drag

Air resistance, or drag, is squared as speed increases. All the surfaces of the race car, from the bodywork to the driver’s helmet, are designed to smooth airflow and reduce drag by redirecting turbulent or “dirty” air past the body of the car. This helps the car reach higher speeds.