Investigation of Ground Effect on 2D Airfoils Using Panel Method

Abstract

Ground effect is the increased lift (force) and decreased aerodynamic drag that an aircraft's/formula car’s wings generates when they are close to a fixed surface. When landing, ground effect can give the pilot the feeling that the aircraft is floating. In cars, Ground effect is a term applied to a series of aerodynamic effects used in car design, which has been exploited to create downforce, particularly in racing cars. In this project, we look into what changes do ground effect have in creating the required downforce for the formula car.