Drag Reduction System in Motorsport
Application ID: 131731
Active aerodynamics systems actuate components on a vehicle dynamically to improve fuel efficiency, optimize cooling, and enhance stability. A drag reduction system (DRS) is an example of an active aerodynamic technology, which is often used in Formula 1® cars to overtake other cars during races. The core component of a DRS is an adjustable flap on the rear wing of the race car, which can lift to decrease aerodynamic drag and downforce, allowing the car to achieve higher speeds.
In this model, a 2D cross section of an airfoil is modeled to demonstrate the effect of an adjustable flap on drag and downforce. The moving flap is modeled using the Moving Mesh interface and fluid flow is modeled using the Turbulent Flow, k-ε interface. When the DRS is activated, it is observed that the drag coefficient decreases by up to 27.1% and the downforce decreases by up to 23.6%.
To learn more about this model, see our accompanying blog post "Modeling Drag Reduction Systems for Motorsports Using CFD".
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