Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experimental investigation into wing span and angle-of-attack effects on sub-scale race car wing/wheel interaction aerodynamics

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Experiments in Fluids Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper details a quantitative 3D investigation using LDA into the interaction aerodynamics on a sub-scale open wheel race car inverted front wing and wheel. Of primary importance to this study was the influence of changing wing angle of attack and span on the resulting near-field and far-field flow characteristics. Results obtained showed that both variables do have a significant influence on the resultant flow-field, particularly on wing vortex and wheel wake development and propagation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agathangelou B, Gascoyne M (1998) Aerodynamic considerations of a formula 1 racing car. Society of automotive engineers (980399)

  • Axon L (1998) The aerodynamic characteristics of automobile wheels-cfd prediction and wind tunnel experiment. Ph.D. dissertation, College of Aeronautics, Cranfield University

  • Benedict L, Gould RD (1996) Towards better uncertainty estimates for turbulence statistics. Exp Fluids 22(2):129–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cummings R (2002) Cfd investigation of front wing geometry of a formula 3 car. M.Sc., Cranfield College of Aeronautics, Cranfield University

  • Dominy RG (1992) Aerodynamics of grand prix cars. In: Proceedings of the institution of mechanical engineers, Part D. J Automob Eng 206(D4):267–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fackell JF, Harvey JK (1975) The aerodynamics of an isolated road wheel. AIAA proceedings of the second symposium on aerodynamics of sports and competition automobiles

  • Fackrell JE (1974) The aerodynamics of an isolated wheel in contact with the ground. Ph.D. dissertation, Faculty of Engineering, University of London

  • Katz J (1986) Aerodynamic model for wing-generated downforce on open-wheel-racing-car confiurations. Society of automotive engineers (860218)

  • Katz J (2006) Aerodynamics of race cars. Annu Rev Fluid Mech 36:27–63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McManus J, Zhang X (2006) A computational study of the flow around an isolated wheel in contact with the ground. J Fluids Eng 128(3):520–530

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Metz LD (1987) Aerodynamic properties of indy cars. Society of Automotive engineers (870726)

  • Mortel F (2003) The front wing. M.Sc., Cranfield College of Aeronautics, Cranfield University

  • Ranzenbach R, Barlow J (1996) Cambered airfoil in ground effect—an experimental and computational study. Society of Automotive engineers (960909)

  • Stapleford WR, Carr GW (1970) Aerodynamic characterisitcs of exposed rotating wheels. Technical report 1970/2

  • Thisse E (2004) Influence of end plates on tip vortices in ground effect for a 2004 formula one front wing. M.Sc., Cranfield College of Aeronautics, Cranfield University

  • Zerihan J, Zhang J (2000) Aerodynamics of a single element wing in ground effect. J Aircr 6(37):1058–1064

    Google Scholar 

  • Zerihan J, Zhang J (2003) Off-surface measurements of a wing in ground effect. J Aircr 40(4):716–725

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X, Toet W, Zerihan J (2006) Ground effect aerodynamics of race cars. Appl Mech Rev, 33–49

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Toyota F1, Koln, Germany

    S. Diasinos

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering and Design, Brunel University, UB8 3PH, Uxbridge, England

    A. Gatto

Authors
  1. S. Diasinos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Gatto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Gatto.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Diasinos, S., Gatto, A. Experimental investigation into wing span and angle-of-attack effects on sub-scale race car wing/wheel interaction aerodynamics. Exp Fluids 45, 537–546 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-008-0499-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-008-0499-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation