Description:
| Aims: The aims of this unit are to:
* demonstrate a sound working knowledge of a range of theoretical and practical elements involved in vehicle
aerodynamics;
* demonstrate the value of data gathering, processing and interpretation skills to record aerodynamic performance;
* utilise a range of methods to record aerodynamic performance.
Learning Outcomes: At the end of this unit students should be able to:
* understand the fundamental principles of motorsport aerodynamics and apply these concepts to a range of motorsport disciplines;
* describe the importance of conducting tests using a wind tunnel;
* operate an aerodynamic simulation package;
* assess the use of aerodynamics to optimise cooling airflow in competition vehicles;
* have a basic knowledge of the principles of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and their application to the requirements of the motorsport industry;
* demonstrate the ability to solve problems by the use of a commercial CFD package.
Skills: During the unit students should gain the following skills:
Intellectual:
* gathering and processing technical information (A.
* formulating outcomes (A)
* making and defending decisions (A)
Professional:
* written and verbal presentations (A)
* data interpretation (T,A)
* propose and specify engineering research (F)
Practical:
* practical development of a wing section (T,A)
* use of simulation packages (T,A)
Key:
* writing reports (A)
* applying numerical techniques (T,A)
Content: This unit concentrates on:
* scale modelling techniques (styling and wind tunnel)
* CFD (Computational Flow Dynamics)
* laminar flow
* turbulence and turbulent flow
* boundary layer
* transition and separation point
* wind tunnel operation
* chord line
* incidence
* centre of pressure
* lift and drag
* pitching moment
* aerodynamic centre
* circulation
* skin friction
* profile and induced drag
* form, vortex and wave drag
* application of Bernoulli's Theorem
* Reynolds Number, Froude Number.
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