CFD Modeling of Vehicle Aerodynamics CFD Flow Engineering
CFD Modeling of Vehicle Aerodynamics CFD Flow Engineering
Table of Contents
The objective of aerodynamics is to reduce drag and avoid unwanted lift forces to
maintain the stability of the vehicle (car, bus, and airplane)
Aerodynamics is part of fluid dynamics to study various forces and relative
motions between objects and air
By understanding the motion of air around an object (like a vehicle or airplane) we
can measure the forces of lift, drag, and gravity
The lift force acts in the direction normal to airflow and the drag force is opposite to
the direction of the vehicle
Fluid Mechanics is an important subject to study the dynamics of fluid flow around
a moving object like a car
The shape of objects and relatives’ motions decide the drag and lifer forces acting on
a vehicle. The application of aerodynamics is given on the page of flow Technology
which covers flying cars, flying boats, flow over vehicles (car, bus, and auto risk
show), flow patterns over airplanes for different angles of attack, flow patterns over
a cricket ball, and a shuttle cock.
We shall discuss the following topics:
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Aerodynamics of a Car
The aerodynamics of a car refers to the study of how air flows around and interacts
with the vehicle.
It plays a crucial role in determining a car’s performance, fuel efficiency, stability,
and overall design. Here are some key aspects of car aerodynamics:
Aerodynamic Forces:
Ground Clearance:
Wheel Design:
Even the design of a car’s wheels can affect its aerodynamics. Wheels with flat
surfaces or open spokes can create less drag compared to intricate designs with
many small openings.
Testing and Simulation:
Car manufacturers use wind tunnels and computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
simulations to test and optimize a car’s aerodynamics.
These tools help in refining the design for improved performance.
Trade-Offs:
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It’s important to note that while enhancing aerodynamics can improve fuel
efficiency and high-speed stability, it may also affect other aspects like passenger
space, comfort, and aesthetics.
Car designers must balance these trade-offs to create a well-rounded vehicle.
Pressure drag depends on the pressure difference across the body, and viscous drag
depends on viscous forces acting on the body
Pressure drag
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due to pressure differences across the body. This is also called as the form drag. The
shape of the body decides the pressure drag.
The pressure drag force, also known as form drag or pressure resistance, is one of
the components of aerodynamic drag experienced by an object moving through a
fluid (such as air or water). It arises due to the pressure difference between the front
and rear surfaces of the object.
When an object moves through a fluid, the fluid exerts pressure on its surfaces. In
the case of a streamlined object, such as an airfoil or a well-designed vehicle, the
pressure on the front surface is higher than on the rear surface. This pressure
difference creates a force that opposes the motion, known as a pressure drag force.
Pressure drag force is influenced by several factors, including the shape and contour
of the object, the velocity of the fluid, the fluid’s density, and the angle of attack (in
the case of airfoils). An object with a blunter or less streamlined shape tends to
experience higher pressure drag compared to a more streamlined object.
To quantify pressure drag force, the drag coefficient (Cd) is used. The drag
coefficient represents the ratio of the drag force acting on the object to the dynamic
pressure of the fluid and the reference area of the object.
The formula for calculating pressure drag force is:
where, Cd is the drag coefficient, ρ is the density of the fluid, V is the Inlet
velocity of the fluid relative to the object, and A is the reference area of the
object which is typically the frontal area of the object perpendicular to the
direction of motion.
Viscous drag, also known as shear drag or skin friction drag, is another component
of aerodynamic drag experienced by an object moving through a fluid.
it is due to viscous shear stress acting on the surface of the body
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Unlike pressure drag, which is related to the pressure difference on the surfaces of
an object, viscous drag arises from the friction between the fluid and the surface of
the object.
When a fluid flows over the surface of an object, there is a thin layer called the
boundary layer in which the fluid velocity gradually changes from zero at the
surface to the free-stream velocity.
This velocity gradient within the boundary layer creates a shearing effect, resulting
in viscous drag.
Viscous drag is influenced by the viscosity of the fluid, the surface roughness of the
object, and the flow conditions. The roughness of the surface can disrupt the
smooth flow of the fluid, increasing the viscous drag.
Additionally, factors like the Reynolds number (which relates the inertial forces to
the viscous forces) and the boundary layer thickness affect the magnitude of the
viscous drag.
To quantify viscous drag, the drag coefficient (Cd) is again used. The drag
coefficient for viscous drag is typically calculated separately from the pressure drag
coefficient.
The total drag coefficient is the sum of the pressure drag coefficient and the viscous
drag coefficient.The formula for calculating viscous drag force is:
where,
Aerodynamics of Vehicle
When air flows over the car’s body, the viscous boundary layer is formed over the
body
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The high-pressure region is on the front part of the car and low pressure (
separated flow region) is observed back of the car body
Due to the large pressure difference across the car, the pressure drag becomes
significant compared to the viscous drag
Aerodynamics of Vehicle
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By integrating pressure difference and shear stress over the surface, we can find
total drag
Total drag force = Pressure drag + Viscous Drag
Find coefficient drag separately due to pressure and viscous stress with respect to
dynamic fluid pressure
FD = Drag force
ρ = Air density
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V = Airspeed
A = Frontal area
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The coefficient of drag and lift is low for the streamlined body. A sedan-type car has
a lower resistance to drag compared to other types. The racing car can have more
lowest drag to run at high speed.
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Sports Cars
High-performance sports cars often have lower coefficients of drag due to their
streamlined designs.
They typically range from 0.25 to 0.35.
Standard sedans and coupes generally have coefficients of drag ranging from
0.25 to 0.35.
However, some newer models are designed to be more aerodynamic and can
achieve even lower values.
Flow over a sedan car. The coefficient of drag is around 0.3
The following figure shows the flow over a hatchback car. The coefficient of drag
is around 0.45
More smooth flow for sedan cars and less drag (resistance for airflow)
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Due to their larger size and less streamlined shapes, SUVs and trucks typically
have higher coefficients of drag compared to sports cars and sedans.
They often range from 0.35 to 0.5.
When a truck flows over a truck, a large wake region is observed behind the
truck
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Hatchbacks and compact cars tend to have coefficients of drag similar to sedans,
ranging from 0.25 to 0.35.
The flow pattern between a pickup car and a hatchback car is shown below.
A low-pressure region is formed in the backside container. This is results in
high-pressure drag compared
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Commercial trucks and vans generally have higher coefficients of drag due to
their boxy shapes and larger frontal areas.
Their coefficients of drag can vary widely, typically ranging from 0.40 to 0.70 or
higher.
It’s important to note that the values provided are approximate and can vary
depending on the specific model, year, and other design considerations.
Manufacturers continuously work on improving the aerodynamic efficiency of
vehicles to reduce drag and improve fuel
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A sudden jump in flow for the back side of the bus and more drag (resistance for
airflow)
The coefficient of drag for buses and trucks can vary depending on their specific
design, shape, and aerodynamic features.
However, on average, buses typically have a coefficient of drag ranging from 0.55 to
0.8, while trucks have a coefficient of drag ranging from 0.6 to 1.0. These values are
approximate and can vary significantly based on the vehicle’s size, shape, and
aerodynamic enhancements.
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1. Geometry Creation:
The first step is to create a digital representation of the vehicle’s geometry using
specialized software.
This includes capturing the exterior shape, dimensions, and any specific features
like mirrors, spoilers, or air vents.
2. Mesh Generation:
A computational mesh is created, dividing the geometry into numerous small
elements or cells.
The quality and resolution of the mesh are crucial for accurate results, as it
affects the level of detail captured in the simulation.
The mesh should adequately represent the geometry and capture key flow
features.
3. Boundary Conditions:
Boundary conditions define the flow properties at the boundaries of the
computational domain.
This includes specifying the vehicle’s velocity, atmospheric conditions, and any
other relevant inputs.
The ground surface and surrounding structures may also be included to capture
the real-world environment.
4. Solver Selection and Simulation Setup:
A suitable numerical solver is chosen to solve the fluid flow equations within the
computational domain.
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The solver discretizes the equations and iteratively solves them to predict the
flow behavior.
Simulation parameters such as time step size and convergence criteria are
defined.
5. Simulation Run and Analysis:
The CFD simulation is executed, and the solver computes the flow field
variables, such as velocity, pressure, and turbulence characteristics.
Post-processing tools are used to visualize and analyze the results, including
generating streamlines, velocity contours, pressure distribution, and drag and
lift forces.
6. Iteration and Optimization:
CFD simulations can be iterative, allowing for design changes and optimization.
By modifying the vehicle’s geometry or adding aerodynamic devices, engineers
can assess the impact on performance metrics like drag coefficient, lift
coefficient, or downpour.
This iterative process helps in improving the vehicle’s aerodynamic efficiency.
CFD modeling provides insights into the flow behavior around vehicles, helping
engineers optimize the design to reduce drag, improve fuel efficiency, enhance
stability, and minimize noise.
It is widely used in the automotive industry for vehicle development, racing
aerodynamics, and evaluating the impact of design changes without the need for
physical prototypes.
Air flows over a car at a speed of 60 kmph
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Conclusion
Basics of Fluid Mechanics helps to understand aerodynamics using streamlines and
forces acting on fluids
Aerodynamics is an important topic for shape optimization vehicles to reduce fuel
consumption with lower drag
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) plays a role in vehicle aerodynamics in many
industries
Optimizing a vehicle’s aerodynamics is essential not only for improving fuel
efficiency but also for enhancing safety and handling at high speeds.
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References
1. K.H. Lo, K. Kontis, Flow around an articulated lorry model, Experimental Thermal
Fluid Science, 82, 58-74 (2017)
2. Basic of Aerodynamics Forces Acting on Aeroplane, NASA website
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