Aerodynamic Study of the Turbulence in the Wake of a 2022 Formula One Car

Aerodynamic Study of the Turbulence in the Wake of a 2022 Formula One Car

Presenter(s)

Luis Mendez

Comments

Presentation: 2:40-3:00 p.m., Kennedy Union 311

Description

For the 2022 Formula One (F1) season, F1 introduced a new set of technical regulations that reduce the complexity of the aerodynamic devices such as the spoiler, often called wings. The objective of this regulation change is to reduce the amount of turbulence produced allowing the cars to trail behind one another closer, making for easier overtaking and increasing the competitiveness of the sport. The present study evaluates and quantifies the aerodynamic performance of a 2022 F1 rear wing by using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analyses. Both a study of a 2022 and 2021 specification rear wing is assessed to determine how the new technical regulations affect the turbulence in the wake of the car. The study is performed by taking cut planes in the fluid domain downstream of the rear wing model and integrating over the plane to determine the turbulence behind the wing. With this analysis, a comparison between the two rear wing specifications can be performed to determine the magnitude of impact the new technical regulations produce. From this, a conclusion can be made regarding the effectiveness of the 2022 F1 technical regulations, and whether the regulation change was justified.

Publication Date

4-19-2023

Project Designation

Honors Thesis

Primary Advisor

Markus Rumpfkeil

Primary Advisor's Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Keywords

Stander Symposium, School of Engineering

Institutional Learning Goals

Scholarship

Aerodynamic Study of the Turbulence in the Wake of a 2022 Formula One Car

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