Posted by: Mehul Patel | Posted on: June 2nd, 2014

Even the smallest change in the shape, material and design of a car body affects its aerodynamics. If a car is aerodynamically designed keeping in mind the purpose of the automobile and environment in which it is going to be used, provides better visibility to the driver, helps the vehicle pick up good speed instantly & reduced fuel consumption.

Manufacturers are increasingly investing in Aerodynamic analysis services, in order to improve automobile designs. Service providers use computational methods like CFD Analysis for Aerodynamics, to optimize car designs for increased efficiency and better aerodynamics.

Altering a Few Design Elements Helps Achieve Improved Aerodynamics for a Car:

Minimize the frontal area: Ideally, the best shape for an automotive is a tear drop, just like the aircraft. However, for a car on the road, a teardrop shape is not possible. Racing cars have a very narrow front area while regular on road cars have a similar but more profound shape that is apt for on road driving conditions.

Ideally, the best shape for an automotive is a tear drop, just like the aircraft. However, for a car on the road, a teardrop shape is not possible. Racing cars have a very narrow front area while regular on road cars have a similar but more profound shape that is apt for on road driving conditions. Avoid any hindrances and protrusions from car body: A smooth airflow can be achieved only when the car body design is streamlined. Any kind of protrusions like mirror are a hindrance.

A smooth airflow can be achieved only when the car body design is streamlined. Any kind of protrusions like mirror are a hindrance. Install wheel skirts: A cover extending from the car’s body over the wheels provides a streamlined design to the car. These wheel skirts let air flow along smoothly, thus improving the car aerodynamics.

A cover extending from the car’s body over the wheels provides a streamlined design to the car. These wheel skirts let air flow along smoothly, thus improving the car aerodynamics. Affix spoilers at the rear tip of the car: Installing spoilers ensures a better airflow over the car; allowing better grip and traction.

Installing spoilers ensures a better airflow over the car; allowing better grip and traction. Add wings: Wings improve the down force than the drag and help cars pick up speed. Installing either a spoiler or a wing can suffice, as both are located at the same position, and have the same benefits.

Wings improve the down force than the drag and help cars pick up speed. Installing either a spoiler or a wing can suffice, as both are located at the same position, and have the same benefits. Rake up the chassis: Slightly change the angle of chassis so that the front is slightly near to the ground than the rear of a car. This reduces the amount of air that passes under the car and creates a vacuum at the rear end.

CFD aerodynamic analysis coupled with FEA is used to analyze the aerodynamics of a car even before it experiences a wind tunnel. It is an extremely beneficial technology for car manufacturers to gauge whether their car design and its aerodynamics are suitable for the environment and the purpose for which an automobile will be used.

Hi-Tech CAE is equipped with profound knowledge of various technology platforms and understands the business needs of automotive manufacturers in depth to extend comprehensive engineering expertise for design development and analysis of all types of automobiles.