Experimental and numerical investigation of the aerodynamic characteristics of high-performance vehicle configurations under yaw conditions

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of yaw conditions on the aerodynamic performance and flow field of three high-performance vehicle model configurations by means of wind tunnel testing and unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes-based computational fluid dynamics simulations. While yaw effects on automotive vehicles have been explored, the effects on far more complex flow fields of high-performance vehicles remain insufficiently researched. This paper reveals that yaw conditions have a significant negative influence both downforce and drag performance. Spoiler and rear wing devices enhance downforce but increase the vehicle's sensitivity to yaw. Furthermore, yaw conditions significantly alter vortex structures and local flow velocities, affecting downstream flow behavior. Surface pressure measurements on the slant confirm these findings and highlight notable yaw effects and upstream effects from spoiler and rear wing devices. Wake analyses through total pressure measurements show that yaw induces a substantial deviation from straight-line wake characteristics, which become dominated by an inboard rotating vehicle body vortex. Overall, this research enhances the understanding of the effects of yaw conditions on high-performance vehicle aerodynamics and provides valuable data for future vehicle aerodynamics research in real-world operating conditions.