An Aerodynamic Study and Design Methodology for the 2009 Supermileage Body

Abstract

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has gained recognition as a valuable simulation tool for many industrial applications, creating immense opportunities for introducing CFD into standard undergraduate curriculum. This paper is focused on an extensive aerodynamic CFD study related to the 2009 Supermileage Vehicle. Supermileage Competition is a trademark competition conducted by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). This paper provides an aid for future undergraduate students and young researchers interested in designing low drag vehicles. The major part of this study includes airfoil selections and three dimensional CFD iterations to optimize the body design. The methodology focuses on an inside-out approach to optimization of body shape through computation of aerodynamic forces on a low mass vehicle. The 2008 Supermileage car, after four design iterations, had a drag coefficient of 0.16. The 2009 body, in its final full body design, has a drag coefficient equal to 0.12, which is the lowest drag coefficient ever calculated for a University of Windsor Supermileage car. Due to the current economic state and reduced funding, an additional low budget vehicle was also designed and extensive aerodynamic studies were conducted to validate the design. The new low budget design includes a scoop at the leading edge of the vehicle and the CFD model included a driver model for accuracy. After several design iterations the low budget design yielded a drag coefficient of 0.14. Due to the weight savings, conforming to SAE rules, and considering the current economic conditions, the low budget design was finalized for the 2009 Supermileage Vehicle.