Race Car Aerodynamics

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Able to conduct performance analysis

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Demonstrate study and time management skills
• Highlight critical issues within a complex environment such as high-performance road-vehicle aerodynamic design
• Perform aerodynamic analysis of race car aerodynamics tests
• Solve problems
• Study and learn
• Effective communications through technical report

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Understand basic racing car aerodynamics and its design implications

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• An overview of wind-tunnel testing of race vehicles
• The role of aerodynamics in the behaviour of high-performance road vehicles such as Formula 1 racing cars. The course will focus on major components of racing car, such as wing, diffuser, wheel, and ground effect aerodynamics.

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• M1/C1 This will be assessed by the wind tunnel laboratory report where the student must demonstrate the understanding of race car aerodynamics and its application to a real-world dataset. M2/C2 This will be assessed by the wind tunnel laboratory report where the student will analyse real-world data, including uncertainty and limitations, and is expected evaluate the data and to draw conclusions. M4/C4 This will be assessed by the wind tunnel laboratory report where the student will reference technical literature when discussing the data obtained in the wind tunnel experiment in order to explain the trends. M5/C5 This will be assessed by the wind tunnel laboratory report where the student will propose a solution for a relevant aerodynamic problem. This will involve the consideration of wider considerations such as commercial matters and industry standards. M12/C12 This will be assessed by the wind tunnel laboratory report where the student will use an experimental facility (a wind tunnel) to investigate a complex problem real-world problem. C6 This will be assessed by the wind tunnel laboratory report where the student will propose solutions to a complex problem investigated in the laboratory using an integrated approach using multiple techniques and considerations. C15 This will be assessed by the wind tunnel laboratory report where the student will demonstrate knowledge of the commercial context of the solutions proposed. C16 As part of the wind tunnel laboratory, the student will need to work in a team in order to obtain the data in the lab.

• Introduction to Race Car Aerodynamics
• Introduction to Tires
• Race Car Performance
• Review of Aerodynamics
• Wind Tunnel Testing
• Ground Effect Testing
• Single Element Wing in Ground Effect
• Introduction to Multi-Element Wings
• Double Element Wing in Ground Effect
• Gurney Flaps
• Diffuser and Ground Effect Aerodynamics
• Wheel Aerodynamics
• Heaving Wings

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include

• Lectures
• Wind tunnel Labs
• Supporting material on Blackboard and Library webpage.

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

J. Katz (1995). Race Car Aerodynamics. Robert Bentley Publishers.

P. Wright (2001). Formula 1 Technology. SES.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External