Diploma Project- F1 car design

This assignment present research about the how aerodynamic car work and the drag force coefficients of the car. The objective of this experiment is to identify the aerodynamic-effect affect the car on the road and the relation of drag coefficients. One of the main causes of aerodynamic drag for  vehicles is the separation of flow near the vehicle’s rear end.Aerodynamics is concerned with the flow of air around objects. In this case we are concerned with cars and how their shape and others properties affect the air flow around the body. The air flow around an object can create various forces on it, primarily either lift or downforce (negative lift) and a resistive force opposing motion called drag.

To save energy and to protect the global environment, fuel consumption reduction is primary concern of automotive development. In vehicle body development, reduction of drag is essential for improving fuel consumption and driving performance, and if an aerodynamicallyrefined body is also aesthetically attractive, it will contribute much to increase the vehicle’s appeal to potential customers. Refining a car’s aerodynamics can significantly increase road holding and cornering, increase top speeds and increase fuel efficiency. Some cars also take advantage of the airflow over them to aid in other functions of the car not linked with drag or downforce, such as air intake to the engine. The main consideration in aerodynamics are reducing drag, to increase top speed and fuel efficiency, and increasing downforce, so that the car has more grip to the road and when cornering.

DISCUSSION

Understanding motion of air (often called a flow field) around an object enables the calculation of forces and moments acting on the object. Typical properties calculated for a flow field include velocity, pressure,  density  and temperature as a function of spatial position and time. Aerodynamics allows the definition and solution of equations for the conservation of mass, momentum, and energy in air. The use of aerodynamics through mathematical analysis, empirical approximations, wind tunnel experimentation, and computer simulations form the scientific basis for heavier-than-air flight and a number of other technologies.

Aerodynamic problems can be classified according to the flow environment. External aerodynamics is the study of flow around solid objects of various shapes. Evaluating the lift  and drag on an airplane or the shock waves that form in front of the nose of a rocket are examples of external aerodynamics. Internal aerodynamics is the study of flow through passages in solid objects. For instance, internal aerodynamics encompasses the study of the airflow through a jet engine or through an air conditioning pipe.

Aerodynamic problems can also be classified according to whether the flow speed is below, near or above the speed of sound. A problem is called subsonic if all the speeds in the problem are less than the speed of sound, transonic if speeds both below and above the speed of sound are present (normally when the characteristic speed is approximately the speed of sound), supersonic when the characteristic flow speed is greater than the speed of sound, and hypersonic when the flow speed is much greater than the speed of sound.

The aerodynamic shape of a vehicle is crucial because it has a large impact on fuel. When buying a new vehicle, carefully consider theimpact of aerodynamic features. Remember that time invested in this area will be worth the investment.