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Methods and Purposes of Aerodynamic Correlation in Formula Student

Le Bastard, Alix LU (2023) MVKM01 20231
Department of Energy Sciences
Abstract
This thesis investigates how methods of aerodynamic validation can assist
a formula student team in designing their aerodynamic package. When de-
signing their aerodynamic components, formula student team mostly rely on
CFD software simulations, but there is no guarantee that the simulations de-
pict properly the physical behaviour of the airflow around the car. For that,
aerodynamic validation is a process used to compare specific CFD simula-
tions with experiments in order to confirm the accuracy of the simulations
results.

As a first step in creating validation methods for the Lund Formula Student
team, a model of the LFS23 race car was designed, using a CAD software,
to a scale of 1:10 that could be 3d printed as well as a... (More)
This thesis investigates how methods of aerodynamic validation can assist
a formula student team in designing their aerodynamic package. When de-
signing their aerodynamic components, formula student team mostly rely on
CFD software simulations, but there is no guarantee that the simulations de-
pict properly the physical behaviour of the airflow around the car. For that,
aerodynamic validation is a process used to compare specific CFD simula-
tions with experiments in order to confirm the accuracy of the simulations
results.

As a first step in creating validation methods for the Lund Formula Student
team, a model of the LFS23 race car was designed, using a CAD software,
to a scale of 1:10 that could be 3d printed as well as a S1223 airfoil shape.
Experiments were conducted in a windtunnel to measured aerodynamic
forces generated by the model and the airfoil at various inlet speeds or angle
of attack. In parallel, CFD simulations were ran with the airfoil geometry.

The initial CFD configuration was chosen to match the one used by Lund
Formula Student to design their aerodynamic package. Several parameters
such as turbulence model and boundary layer meshing were tested in order
to asses if the initial set of parameters was optimal for accurate results. The
results of the sensitivity analysis showed that the current set of parameters
used by Lund Formula Student is optimal for the CFD simulations, although
new parameters could be studies, mainly for the wake refinement behind
their car. Apart from the aerodynamic validation process, this thesis also
aimed at showing how testing on a scaled model could prove beneficial to
chose between two concept with similar performances in CFD. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Le Bastard, Alix LU
supervisor
organization
course
MVKM01 20231
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
report number
LUTMDN/TMHP-23/5560-SE
ISSN
0282-1990
language
English
id
9141901
date added to LUP
2023-11-30 10:21:56
date last changed
2023-11-30 10:21:56
@misc{9141901,
  abstract     = {{This thesis investigates how methods of aerodynamic validation can assist
a formula student team in designing their aerodynamic package. When de-
signing their aerodynamic components, formula student team mostly rely on
CFD software simulations, but there is no guarantee that the simulations de-
pict properly the physical behaviour of the airflow around the car. For that,
aerodynamic validation is a process used to compare specific CFD simula-
tions with experiments in order to confirm the accuracy of the simulations
results.

As a first step in creating validation methods for the Lund Formula Student
team, a model of the LFS23 race car was designed, using a CAD software,
to a scale of 1:10 that could be 3d printed as well as a S1223 airfoil shape.
Experiments were conducted in a windtunnel to measured aerodynamic
forces generated by the model and the airfoil at various inlet speeds or angle
of attack. In parallel, CFD simulations were ran with the airfoil geometry.

The initial CFD configuration was chosen to match the one used by Lund
Formula Student to design their aerodynamic package. Several parameters
such as turbulence model and boundary layer meshing were tested in order
to asses if the initial set of parameters was optimal for accurate results. The
results of the sensitivity analysis showed that the current set of parameters
used by Lund Formula Student is optimal for the CFD simulations, although
new parameters could be studies, mainly for the wake refinement behind
their car. Apart from the aerodynamic validation process, this thesis also
aimed at showing how testing on a scaled model could prove beneficial to
chose between two concept with similar performances in CFD.}},
  author       = {{Le Bastard, Alix}},
  issn         = {{0282-1990}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Methods and Purposes of Aerodynamic Correlation in Formula Student}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}