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Computer Simulations of Wind

Tunnel Experiments
‡ Current approach used by engineers in
aerodynamic design of cars and airplanes
‡ Used for predicting drag and flow characteristics
without the need for expensive physical
experiments in wind tunnels
‡ Actual geometries may be modeled with the help
of digital computers without the need for scaled-
down physical wind-tunnel models

Aerodynamic Simulations of a Car in Wind Tunnel

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Sketch of the car and wind tunnel for computer simulations

Aerodynamic Simulations of a Car in Wind Tunnel

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Solid model of the car in a wind tunnel created on the computer

Aerodynamic Simulations of a Car in Wind Tunnel

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Computational model of the wind tunnel using the

finite element method

Aerodynamic Simulations of a Car in Wind Tunnel

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Cross section of the computation model

Aerodynamic Simulations of a Car in Wind Tunnel

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Stream line of the wind with velocity contour for 30 mph speed

Aerodynamic Simulations of a Car in Wind Tunnel

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Stream line of the wind with velocity contour (zoom in)

Aerodynamic Simulations of a Car in Wind Tunnel

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uelocity vectors of the wind in the middle plane of the car

Aerodynamic Simulations of a Car in Wind Tunnel

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uelocity vector of the wind in the wheel plane of the car

Aerodynamic Simulations of a Car in Wind Tunnel

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Wind pressure contour in the middle plane of the car

Aerodynamic Simulations of a Car in Wind Tunnel

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Wind pressure contour in the wheel plane of the car

Aerodynamic Simulations of a Car in Wind Tunnel

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Summary
‡ Using computer simulations of the wind tunnel
different flow speed and geometries may be easily
analyzed
‡ Drag evaluations may be made by changing the
geometries and speeds
‡ Engineers in automotive and aircraft industries
frequently use such simulations to improve
designs
‡ Engineers are also involved in the development of
computer programs which solve such models

Aerodynamic Simulations of a Car in Wind Tunnel