Aerodynamic design of the front wing of a Formula Student car

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hdl:2117/417769
Author's e-mailalex.gil.gonzalez
estudiantat.upc.edu

Document typeBachelor thesis
Date2024-10-30
Rights accessOpen Access
This work is protected by the corresponding intellectual and industrial property rights.
Except where otherwise noted, its contents are licensed under a Creative Commons license
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Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Spain
Abstract
The evolution of aerodynamics since the last century has led to its implementation in many sectors. One such sector is the automotive industry, where car manufacturers have been competing for years to reduce aerodynamic drag in order to sell more fuel-efficient cars. This industry need has carried over to high level racing, where teams in different championships around the world have long since had to focus all their efforts on achieving better aerodynamic performance than the rest in order to achieve victories. This has also been reflected at an educational level, where competitions such as Formula Student have carved out a niche for developing future engineers in the skills required for the industry. This project focuses on optimizing the aerodynamic performance of the front wing of an electric Formula Student car through design, simulation, and analysis. Using only computer simulations, the project uses 3D modelling and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in order to examine various designs and find the best solution. The primary objective of the project is to study the aerodynamic performance of the front wing at various angles of attack. By focusing on reducing drag and maximizing downforce, the project aims to find an ideal balance that improves the car's stability and speed. Each design iteration is evaluated to assess its effectiveness. This evaluation is essential for the Formula Student team's competitive plan, as aerodynamic efficiency is key to reducing lap times and improving performance on the track. The study of this aerodynamic performance has shown purely satisfactory values, yet it has also revealed several critical areas for design refinement. Addressing these potential improvements will require further in-depth analysis and optimization efforts in future studies.
SubjectsCampusLab
DegreeGRAU EN ENGINYERIA DE SISTEMES AEROESPACIALS (Pla 2015)
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