Computer Simulations of Wind Tunnel Experiments

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Computer Simulations of Wind Tunnel Experiments

• Current approach used by engineers in aerodynamic
  design of cars and airplanes
• Used for predicting drag and flow characteristics
  without the need for expensive physical
  experiments in wind tunnels
• Actual geometries may be modeled with the help of
  digital computers without the need for
  scaled-down physical wind-tunnel models

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Sketch of the car and wind tunnel for computer
simulations
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Solid model of the car in a wind tunnel created
on the computer
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Computational model of the wind tunnel using the
finite element method
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Cross section of the computation model
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Stream line of the wind with velocity contour for
30 mph speed
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Stream line of the wind with velocity contour
(zoom in)
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Velocity vectors of the wind in the middle plane
of the car
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Velocity vector of the wind in the wheel plane of
the car
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Wind pressure contour in the middle plane of the
car
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Wind pressure contour in the wheel plane of the
car
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Summary

• Using computer simulations of the wind tunnel
  different flow speed and geometries may be easily
  analyzed
• Drag evaluations may be made by changing the
  geometries and speeds
• Engineers in automotive and aircraft industries
  frequently use such simulations to improve
  designs
• Engineers are also involved in the development of
  computer programs which solve such models