Riassunto analitico
Aerodynamics is a key performance factor of racing vehicles, influencing both straight-line speed and cornering capability. This work, developed as part of a project regarding the design of a battery electric prototype vehicle starting from a road-legal internal combustion engine vehicle, focuses on the aerodynamic development to enhance performance while addressing the demands of the innovative electric architecture employed. In particular, starting from a 3D scan of the original vehicle, the external surfaces are designed, along with the cooling ducts for the new cooling system. The study encompasses the design of a novel rear wing and a designed from scratch underbody for downforce generation, whereas new front and rear wheel fenders are designed to accommodate the revised position of the wheels. CFD serves as a primary design tool, not only to evaluate final aerodynamic performance but also to guide the vehicle development. Steady-state RANS simulations are carried out on a half-vehicle model, leveraging the symmetry of the physical problem. The developed cooling ducts with the corresponding radiators are integrated in the simulations in order to get a better approximation of the real conditions and to estimate the air mass flow rate for cooling purposes. Finally, once the vehicle design is finalized, a sensitivity analysis of the aerodynamic performance with respect to pitch and heave is conducted. The study concludes by highlighting areas of potential improvement for the final design, paving the way for the prototype’s track debut in 2026.
|
