1. Designing an aerodynamic car
Aerodynamics
Designing an aerodynamic car

2. What does Aerodynamic mean?
The study of the flow of air around and through an object in motion or stationary
The shape of an object affects the flow of air
Aerodynamic=Cuts through the air
Not-Aerodynamic=Resists air

3. Aerodynamic?

4. Aerodynamic?

5. Aerodynamic?

6. Aerodynamic?

7. Aerodynamic?

8. Aerodynamic?

9. What's Similar?

10. Aerodynamic=Faster Higher Speeds
Light cargo weights relative to the size of the vehicle
Can something be TOO Aerodynamic?

11. YES!!!

12. What’s Similar?
Heavy Cargo weight relative to the size of the vehicle

13. Principles of Aerodynamics
Drag
Frontal Pressure
Rear Vacuum/Flow Detachment
Turbulence
Lift
Drag Coefficient

14. Drag The force acting in opposition to the direction of movement
Drag is comprised primarily of two forces, Frontal Pressure and Rear Vacuum (Flow Detachment)

15. Caused by air attempting to flow around the front of the car
Air molecules hit the car, creating high pressure
The molecules will naturally flow to low pressure areas
Top, bottom and sides of the car

16. Caused by the "hole" left in the air as the car moves forward
This force pushes towards the car in all directions
The Rear Vacuum creates Turbulence
An aerodynamic car LIMITS turbulence

17. Cars generate low pressure and drag all over the car’s body
“Boxy” cars generate more downforce and drag
Thus, having a higher Drag Coefficient

18. Drag Coefficient A measure of a how aerodynamic a car will be
All cars produce drag
The goal is to limit drag, turbulence and downforce
The shape of a car is largely responsible for how much drag the car has.

19. Hints Ideally, the car body should:
Have a small grill, to minimize frontal pressure.
Have minimal ground clearance below the grill, to minimize air flow under the car
Have a steeply raked windshield to avoid pressure build up in front
Have a converging "Tail" to keep the air flow attached
Have a slightly raked underside

20. What to do now… Create an “Aerodynamics” folder on your CAD number
Go online, research car body styles
Look for body styles that are aerodynamic
Find 5 pictures of cars that possess good aerodynamic qualities
Save these pictures in your “Aerodynamic” folder