Module overview
The student will gain insight on major aerodynamic features associated with vehicle and race car aerodynamics, including aerodynamics of overall car, aerodynamics of major devices, test facilities and experimental methods, test setup, etc. The most important aspects of race car aerodynamics will be covered.
Equivalent pre-requisites to those listed must be approved by the Module Leader. Exchange Students must consult the Module Leader before registering for this module.
Linked modules
Pre-requisites: SESA2022 and SESA3033
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Effective communications through technical report
- Study and learn
- Solve problems
- 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
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- 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.
- An overview of wind-tunnel testing of race vehicles
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Able to conduct performance analysis
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
Syllabus
- 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
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include
- Lectures
- Wind tunnel Labs
- Supporting material on Blackboard and Library webpage.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Completion of assessment task | 36 |
| Practical classes and workshops | 3 |
| Wider reading or practice | 20 |
| Lecture | 36 |
| Revision | 55 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
J. Katz (1995). Race Car Aerodynamics. Robert Bentley Publishers.
P. Wright (2001). Formula 1 Technology. SES.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Coursework | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Examination | 100% |
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.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Examination | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External