On modern day passenger vehicles, the wheels cause up to 25% of the aerodynamic drag. However, the flow around the wheels is complex and not yet fully understood. In the presented work a CFD simulation methodology for rotating wheels is developed by applying the Sliding Mesh Method in comparison to wind tunnel tests. Using this simulation methodology and by further wind tunnel tests, various influencing factors, such as rim geometry, vehicle rear end shape or cooling air configuration, on the flow around a single wheel and the entire vehicle are investigated and interactions are analysed.
«
On modern day passenger vehicles, the wheels cause up to 25% of the aerodynamic drag. However, the flow around the wheels is complex and not yet fully understood. In the presented work a CFD simulation methodology for rotating wheels is developed by applying the Sliding Mesh Method in comparison to wind tunnel tests. Using this simulation methodology and by further wind tunnel tests, various influencing factors, such as rim geometry, vehicle rear end shape or cooling air configuration, on the fl...
»