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By Prem A. Midha and Henry J. Pernicka, University of Missouri, Rolla
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The Annual Formula SAE® (Society of Automotive Engineers) competition in Pontiac, Michigan is designed to offer students a chance to design, build, and race a formula-style race car. The University of Missouri, Rolla is one of only a handful of teams that use aerodynamic devices on their car to improve its performance, and last year, the team used FLUENT to optimize these devices.
Pathlines and contours of static pressure for the UMR 2004 Formula SAE race car
Visualization Courtesy of Ensight by CEI
The team first designs and performs solid modeling on their aerodynamics package with downforce as their primary consideration. "We use FLUENT for modeling the external flows around the car and aerodynamic devices and the internal flows in the inlet track of the engine," says 2005 Chief Engineer Kyle Sampson. In the past, the team used FLUENT to evaluate profile changes to the restrictor, but most recently, they used it to work with their suspension-mounted undertray multi-element airfoils. "In the future we would like to be able to model the fluid friction and periodic flows in the engine intake manifold," says Sampson.
The 2004 UMR Formula SAE team
Last year, the team placed first in the autocross event and fourth overall, proving the value of having well-designed aerodynamic devices on a Formula SAE race car.
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