Title: Vehicle wheel aerodynamic testing, using the double-symmetry technique

Authors: M. Satya Prasad, Simon Watkins

Addresses: SAMME, RMIT Bundoora East Campus, Bundoora, Victoria 3073, Australia. ' SAMME, RMIT Bundoora East Campus, Bundoora, Victoria 3073, Australia

Abstract: Within the scope of wheel drag investigation, a mirror image method for simulating relative motions of wheels and moving ground for road vehicle aerodynamics was developed using a double-symmetry technique. An initial study using no-wheeled bluff body demonstrated feasibility. The current paper further extends this technique to a wheeled model vehicle. The concept, measuring approach and EFD and CFD evaluations are described. The double-symmetry approach enabled simulated on-road vehicle drag tests. With the ability to replicate deformations at tyre contact patch, the approach presents evaluation of rotating wheel effects on accessories and their actual contribution to the vehicle road load.

Keywords: double-symmetry; vehicle design; rotating wheels; vehicle aerodynamics; drag coefficient; wind tunnel; vehicle wheels; wheel aerodynamic testing; wheel drag; EFD; CFD; computational fluid dynamics; simulation; deformation; tyre contact patch; vehicle road load; experimental fluid dynamics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2008.021153

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2008 Vol.48 No.1/2, pp.81 - 96

Published online: 06 Nov 2008 *

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