Abstract
Having a small car running with low power can be achieved by reducing the aerodynamics drag, rolling resistance and mechanical frictions between the moving parts. The Shell Eco-Marathon competition held around the world with events in Europe, USA and Asia shows every year new techniques and ideas to reduce the power needed to drive the car. The record of over 3400 km on the equivalent of a single litre of fuel is an indication of how car can run efficiently. The problem with these low drag cars is the driver perception about the shape of the car. Although the tear drop shape is known as having the minimum drag, practically this shape cannot be used due to size and packaging limitations in addition to the safety issue. In this work, a low drag concept car is proposed using initial CAD design. The concept car is examined using a commercial CFD software by simulating the airflow around car. The spatial distribution of the pressure and velocity vectors are utilized to improve the car shape and to achieve a low drag force coefficient while keeping the down force at its minimum value. By changing the car front, underneath and rear shapes, it was possible to reduce the drag coefficient from 0.430 for the baseline to 0.127 for the final design, while meeting the competition regulations.
Highlights
It is expected that the future of urban mobility may change radically due to the increase in world populations and the rapid growth of energy request in addition to the unsustainable environmental pollution levels
The car design and shape still heavy with weight ranging 1000-1500 kg which lead to more energy consumption
CFD analysis has been employed to inspect the airflow distribution around a small car, which was designed to contribute in the Shell Eco-Marathon competition using the commercial software, STARCCM+
Summary
It is expected that the future of urban mobility may change radically due to the increase in world populations and the rapid growth of energy request in addition to the unsustainable environmental pollution levels. CFD analysis has been employed to inspect the airflow distribution around a small car, which was designed to contribute in the Shell Eco-Marathon competition using the commercial software, STARCCM+. Volume control mesh has not been used based on recommendations of previous study which showed it is computationally expensive and not achieving much difference in drag coefficient value (less than 1%).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
