AirShaper

Improving MotoGP aerodynamics using CFD simulations - The Dotto Creations - AirShaper MotoGP Challenge - Aero Update 2

General information: https://airshaper.com/motogp-aerodynamics-challenge
Reference simulation (with wings): https://app.airshaper.com/projects/dotto-creations-ai-7aff73
Aero update 1: https://app.airshaper.com/projects/dotto-creations-ai-cf2d1a
Aero update 2 (with wings on the front wheel): https://app.airshaper.com/projects/dotto-creations-airshaper-motogp-challenge-aero-update-2-lower-wings-over-fender

For the second aero update, we had modified:
- the front fairing / wind screen: we aimed for a more horizontal exit angle by making the front face steeper
- Changed the position of the lower wings to the front suspension
- Deleted the rear wing

Results:
- Fender: the wake structure has improved around the fender & rider (more horizontal), but the wake is too wide now, causing extra drag.
- Front mud guard: better flow attachment here, but the bolt which is sticking out is creating a lot of drag
- Wings: these help a lot to clean up & direct the airflow around the legs & arms of the rider.

Drag & downforce values can still be improved further, so we'll continue work for aero update 3!

Join the challenge and drop your ideas on our reddit channel:
https://www.reddit.com/r/airshaper/

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The AirShaper videos cover the basics of aerodynamics (aerodynamic drag, drag & lift coefficients, boundary layer theory, flow separation, reynolds number...), simulation aspects (computational fluid dynamics, CFD meshing, ...) and aerodynamic testing (wind tunnel testing, flow visualization, ...).

We then use those basics to explain the aerodynamics of (race) cars (aerodynamic efficiency of electric vehicles, aerodynamic drag, downforce, aero maps, formula one aerodynamics, ...), drones and airplanes (propellers, airfoils, electric aviation, eVTOLS, ...), motorcycles (wind buffeting, motogp aerodynamics, ...) and more!

For more information, visit www.airshaper.com and https://www.dottocreations.com/

MotoGP Aerodynamics - Helmet, fender, mud guards & wings - Dotto Creations AirShaper Aero Update 2

Improving MotoGP aerodynamics using CFD simulations - The Dotto Creations - AirShaper MotoGP Challenge

General information: https://airshaper.com/motogp-aerodynamics-challenge
Reference simulation (with wings): https://app.airshaper.com/projects/dotto-creations-ai-7aff73
Aero update 1: https://app.airshaper.com/projects/dotto-creations-ai-cf2d1a

For our first aero update we implemented many changes at the same time:
1. Improved helmet design
2. Better curvature around the bottom radiator
3. More rounded front, small spoiler in front of cooler
4. Smoother fairing around the radiator
5. Small "jump" to cover hands. 
6. Small "jump" to cover shoulders
7. foot support: remained unchanged
8. Rear wing added
9. Improvements to the mudguard

Interestingly, the drag of the bike has gone up by 0.6%!
Downforce has improved though by around 3%.

Although that trade-off would be good on a track with many corners, we're now trying to reduce drag by cleaning up the flow at the front of the bike and by removing the rear wing. Once we've managed to do so, we'll focus on the "downstream" part of the bike to regain some of the downforce.

Join the challenge and drop your ideas on our reddit channel:
https://www.reddit.com/r/airshaper/

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The AirShaper videos cover the basics of aerodynamics (aerodynamic drag, drag & lift coefficients, boundary layer theory, flow separation, reynolds number...), simulation aspects (computational fluid dynamics, CFD meshing, ...) and aerodynamic testing (wind tunnel testing, flow visualization, ...).

We then use those basics to explain the aerodynamics of (race) cars (aerodynamic efficiency of electric vehicles, aerodynamic drag, downforce, aero maps, formula one aerodynamics, ...), drones and airplanes (propellers, airfoils, electric aviation, eVTOLS, ...), motorcycles (wind buffeting, motogp aerodynamics, ...) and more!

For more information, visit www.airshaper.com and https://www.dottocreations.com/

MotoGP Aerodynamics - The Dotto Creations - AirShaper aerodynamic design challenge - Aero Update 1

#f1 #formula1 #aerodynamics 

Formula One - Aerodynamics update 4 - Rear wing design

For other aero updates:
- Part 1: https://youtu.be/PgogIbld-Ko
- Part 2: https://youtu.be/07ru0LfGl3c
- Part 3: https://youtu.be/HXVBs7JgUis
- Part 4: https://youtu.be/fPTmyrmEJn8

In this aero update, we completely redesigned the rear wing of the car to make it compliant with the FIA Regulations! Or rather, Luca Padovani did this (with tips by Andro Rak). It has been incredible to see how two motivated people from the community have pulled this off.

First, the design spaces as desribed by the FIA were drawn in 3D. Within those spaces, the new wing was then designed to be entirely legal.

Then, Luca opted for 2 variations of the wing, featuring different beam wings:
- Tandem: in this configuration, one element of the beam wing is located downstream of the other one. They work together, the downstream wing having the highest angle of attack to further kick up the air, just like the main wing having 2 elements.
- Bi-plane: in this configuration, 2 beam wing elements are on top of each other. This allows for more "cross section" of air to be captured and kicked up. The tricky part is that if they are too close to each other, they may partially cancel each other out.

Both wings performed significantly better than the previous (illegal) design, with 10% more downforce overall on the car! We did see a penalty in terms of drag as well, so it's not all for free. Still, on high downforce tracks, this wing would be a very good solution.

Luca also redesigned parts of the suspension, the swan neck and even the wing attached to the rear wheels. It's been truly incredible to see how he implemented complex aerodynamic shapes into his 3D software.

We much look forward to see him at work on the next challenge:
MotoGP aerodynamics!

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The AirShaper videos cover the basics of aerodynamics (aerodynamic drag, drag & lift coefficients, boundary layer theory, flow separation, reynolds number...), simulation aspects (computational fluid dynamics, CFD meshing, ...) and aerodynamic testing (wind tunnel testing, flow visualization, ...).

We then use those basics to explain the aerodynamics of (race) cars (aerodynamic efficiency of electric vehicles, aerodynamic drag, downforce, aero maps, formula one aerodynamics, ...), drones and airplanes (propellers, airfoils, electric aviation, eVTOLS, ...), motorcycles (wind buffeting, motogp aerodynamics, ...) and more!

For more information, visit www.airshaper.com

Formula One Aerodynamics - Final design

#f1 #formula1 #aerodynamics 

Formula One - Aerodynamics update 4 - Rear wing design

For other aero updates:
- Part 1: https://youtu.be/PgogIbld-Ko
- Part 2: https://youtu.be/07ru0LfGl3c
- Part 3: https://youtu.be/HXVBs7JgUis

In this Aero update we wanted to reduce the drag on the car, possibly sacrificing some of the downforce. Most importantly, we want to increase the Lift/Drag ratio (or actually downforce to drag ratio), meaning a more efficient aero design.

The existing wing was a visual element, not optimized for aerodynamics, but still performed surprisingly well. But because it was a very aggressive one (high "exit" angle of attack for example) we saw some flow separation at the trailing edge as well as some problems around the side plates.

The new design was entirely designed by Luca, who also took input from other community members into account. This new design now has actual airfoils, again gurneys, side plates which do not flow into the lower wing, etc.

The results showed a 15% reduction in drag, at the cost of a 10% reduction in downforce - a reasonable trade-off. The flow around the rear wing is now much cleaner, with the following observations:
- Far less separation of the airflow (less red clouds in this visualization)
- Reduced low pressure area on the rear wheels due to proximity / shape of the rear wing
- Reduced performance of the lower wing, so here we may need to optimize
- Flow separation at the transition from the top wing (second element) to the side plate - this needs to be optimized

Another observation was that there is quite a lot of flow separation around the rear suspension, which was shaped as an airfoil (including a gurney) but isn't working properly. As this one feeds air to the rear wing, we'll have a look at optimizing this one.


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The AirShaper videos cover the basics of aerodynamics (aerodynamic drag, drag & lift coefficients, boundary layer theory, flow separation, reynolds number...), simulation aspects (computational fluid dynamics, CFD meshing, ...) and aerodynamic testing (wind tunnel testing, flow visualization, ...).

We then use those basics to explain the aerodynamics of (race) cars (aerodynamic efficiency of electric vehicles, aerodynamic drag, downforce, aero maps, formula one aerodynamics, ...), drones and airplanes (propellers, airfoils, electric aviation, eVTOLS, ...), motorcycles (wind buffeting, motogp aerodynamics, ...) and more!

For more information, visit www.airshaper.com

Formula One - Aerodynamics update 4 - Rear Wing Design

#f1 #formula1 #aerodynamics 

Formula One - Aerodynamics update 3 - within the margin of CFD error

For other aero updates:
- Part 1: https://youtu.be/PgogIbld-Ko
- Part 2: https://youtu.be/07ru0LfGl3c
- Part 4: https://youtu.be/fPTmyrmEJn8

In this Aero update we wanted to reduce the flow separation at the top of the side pods. The air had way too much upward momentum to stay attached to the sharply angled top edge of the side pod. So based on community feedback and internal brainstorms, the Voyager - AirShaper team came up with the following design changes:

3a: Ferrari-inspired backward swept design
The goal here is to have the top & bottom edge of the sidepods sweep backward to alleviate some of the pressure towards the outside. In the results we can see that flow separation at the top has been much reduced, but now there is some flow separation at the sides, as we're directing flow there. Good news though, that flow separation area looks to be smaller in size.

3b: Curved top geometry of the side pods
The goal here is simple: provide a more gradual, upward curvature at the top edge of the side pod for the air to stay attached to. We can see in the results that flow separation has been reduced, but not eliminated. Also, as the air curves around this geometry it speeds up more than before, futher lowering the pressure. This creates a suction effect which can cancel out some of the downforce generated elsewhere on the car.

3c: wing profile to control the flow
We added a wing profile just above the top edge of the side pod to force the airflow to take a sharper corner around the edge and to stay attached. In the CFD results, we can see that separation is slightly reduced at the outer parts of the sidepods, but not at the inner parts (where the local angle of attack is probably more aggressive). So the solution has potential, but would require a lot more tweaking to potentially make it work.

Coefficient analysis
All concepts score worse than Aero Update 2: they all have less downforce and all have more drag. So what is happening?

Well, to get a very reliable averaged value, you need a lot of iterations. For normal design work, the length of the averaging window used at AirShaper (which keeps variations around max 1%) is enough. But for specific cases like this one, where we are looking at deltas of less than 1% in some cases, you would need to increase the length of the averaging window to get reliable drag coefficient and lift coefficient data.

Still, we're able to obtain qualitative insights from these simulations, allowing us to make a pragmatic choice:
we're going for the Ferrari design!


Simulations:
Original car: https://app.airshaper.com/projects/voyager-airshaper-adcc85
Aero Package 1: https://app.airshaper.com/projects/voyager-airshaper-20adc9
Aero Package 2: https://app.airshaper.com/projects/voyager-airshaper-4b4532
Aero Update 3a: https://app.airshaper.com/projects/aero-update-3-conc-afd350
Aero update 3b: https://app.airshaper.com/projects/aero-update-3-conc-845f3d
Aero update 3c: https://app.airshaper.com/projects/aero-update-3-conc-18fb76

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The AirShaper videos cover the basics of aerodynamics (aerodynamic drag, drag & lift coefficients, boundary layer theory, flow separation, reynolds number...), simulation aspects (computational fluid dynamics, CFD meshing, ...) and aerodynamic testing (wind tunnel testing, flow visualization, ...).

We then use those basics to explain the aerodynamics of (race) cars (aerodynamic efficiency of electric vehicles, aerodynamic drag, downforce, aero maps, formula one aerodynamics, ...), drones and airplanes (propellers, airfoils, electric aviation, eVTOLS, ...), motorcycles (wind buffeting, motogp aerodynamics, ...) and more!

For more information, visit www.airshaper.com

Formula One - Aerodynamics update 3 - within the margin of CFD error

#f1 #formula1 #aerodynamics

Formula One Aerodynamics Challenge - Part 2: side pods, underfloor, fences and more

For other aero updates:
- Part 1: https://youtu.be/PgogIbld-Ko
- Part 3: https://youtu.be/HXVBs7JgUis
- Part 4: https://youtu.be/fPTmyrmEJn8


Simulations:
Original car: https://app.airshaper.com/projects/voyager-airshaper-adcc85
Aero Package 1: https://app.airshaper.com/projects/voyager-airshaper-20adc9
Aero Package 2: https://app.airshaper.com/projects/voyager-airshaper-4b4532

In this video, we present the second set of aero updates to the Voyager-AirShaper F1 car.
The redesign has been based on:
- Input from the talented people who contributed to the AirShaper Reddit channel
- Input from AirShaper (supported by aerodynamic shape optimization)

We've focused on a number of areas:
SIDEPODS
- Bring them forward
- Add more curvature at the front / less curvature at the rear to avoid separation at the rear


STRAKES
- Bring the second fence to the top of the underfloor to reduce flow curvature
- Reduce the exit angle of the inner fence
- Make the first part of the fences curved and straighten them just before they bend outward, to aid vortex formation

BIB
The BIB has been made sharper, to reduce the pressure build up.

REAR WING
- Single instead of double support arm
- Modification of the swan neck to reduce flow separation at the suction side

OTHER
- The mirrors have been mounted onto the sidepods, eliminating the lateral support beam
- The profile of the Halo has been modified


A MASSIVE THANKS TO ALL OF THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS AERO PACKAGE
And a special thanks to the guys at Voyager for implementing all of the community suggestions

Links
General: https://www.airshaper.com /// https://www.voyager.be/
F1 Challenge: https://airshaper.com/f1-aerodynamics-challenge
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/airshaper/
Contact: info@airshaper.com


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The AirShaper videos cover the basics of aerodynamics (aerodynamic drag, drag & lift coefficients, boundary layer theory, flow separation, reynolds number...), simulation aspects (computational fluid dynamics, CFD meshing, ...) and aerodynamic testing (wind tunnel testing, flow visualization, ...).

We then use those basics to explain the aerodynamics of (race) cars (aerodynamic efficiency of electric vehicles, aerodynamic drag, downforce, aero maps, formula one aerodynamics, ...), drones and airplanes (propellers, airfoils, electric aviation, eVTOLS, ...), motorcycles (wind buffeting, motogp aerodynamics, ...) and more!

For more information, visit www.airshaper.com

Formula One Aerodynamics Challenge - Part 2: side pods, underfloor, fences and more

#f1 #formula1 #aerodynamics 

Improving F1 Aerodynamics using AirShaper CFD simulations - The Voyager-AirShaper F1 challenge

For other aero updates:
- Part 2: https://youtu.be/07ru0LfGl3c
- Part 3: https://youtu.be/HXVBs7JgUis
- Part 4: https://youtu.be/fPTmyrmEJn8

UPDATE:
we found a mistake in the simulation - the increase in downforce was 44% and not 64% - check the next video (on aero update 2) to learn more!

Simulations:
Original car: https://app.airshaper.com/projects/voyager-airshaper-adcc85
Aero Package 1: https://app.airshaper.com/projects/voyager-airshaper-20adc9

In this video, we present the first set of aero updates to the Voyager-AirShaper F1 car.
The redesign has been based on:
- Input from the talented people who contributed to the AirShaper Reddit channel
- Input from AirShaper (supported by aerodynamic shape optimization)

We've focused on a number of areas:
FRONT WING
- We implemented the design of Busor to have a more updated design
- The spacing between the wing elements was increased to avoid mesh bridging
- The sideplates were pushed inward at the front to reduce flow separation
The downforce on the front wing improved dramatically, with low pressure zones on the suction side being much more pronounced, now extending to the second and partially the third wing element.

STRAKES
- The thickness of the straks was reduced to avoind local flow separation
- The "inlet angle" of the strakes was increased, to point more inward.
- The "outlet angle" of the straks was increased as well, to be outward instead of parallel to the driving direction of the car.
The result is less flow separation at the inleg and stronger vortices further downstream, resulting in a lower pressure and thus more pronounced suction effect across the majority of the underfloor.

BIB
The bib (sort of a scoop around the central part of the underfloor) was added, grabbing some extra downforce (as the pressure on top of it pushes it downward - even though some of this is cancelled out as this higher pressure also acts on the surface above the BIB).

OTHER
Other small changes include updated barge boards and a different nose angle.


A MASSIVE THANKS TO ALL OF THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS AERO PACKAGE
And a special thanks to the guys at Voyager for implementing all of the community suggestions

Links
General: https://www.airshaper.com /// https://www.voyager.be/
F1 Challenge: https://airshaper.com/f1-aerodynamics-challenge
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/airshaper/
Contact: info@airshaper.com

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The AirShaper videos cover the basics of aerodynamics (aerodynamic drag, drag & lift coefficients, boundary layer theory, flow separation, reynolds number...), simulation aspects (computational fluid dynamics, CFD meshing, ...) and aerodynamic testing (wind tunnel testing, flow visualization, ...).

We then use those basics to explain the aerodynamics of (race) cars (aerodynamic efficiency of electric vehicles, aerodynamic drag, downforce, aero maps, formula one aerodynamics, ...), drones and airplanes (propellers, airfoils, electric aviation, eVTOLS, ...), motorcycles (wind buffeting, motogp aerodynamics, ...) and more!

For more information, visit www.airshaper.com

Improving F1 Aerodynamics using AirShaper CFD simulations - The Voyager-AirShaper F1 challenge

#lamborghini #aerodynamics #supercars 

7X Design Rayo - How to design a 300 mph hypercar based on a Lamborghini Huracan

For more information on sports car aerodynamics:
- Gordon Murray T50: https://youtu.be/FSaI6STYIQA
- Lotus Evija: https://youtu.be/WaLxG9CT3RI
- Porsche Taycan - part 1: https://youtu.be/K2jgsgihZ_w
- Porsche Taycan - part 2: https://youtu.be/kyHjWGnrByQ


Have you ever wondered how hypercars can reach incredible top speeds? Because of aerodynamics! (and engine power :) ).

At high speeds, almost all resistance the car has to overcome stems from aerodynamic drag. So reducing it, while maintaining a good aerodynamic balance, is the key.

In this video, we walk around the 7X Design Rayo, a highly modified Lamborghini Huracan. The car was almost entirely rebodied, with highly streamlined shapes. We reduced the drag by over 28%!

There are a lot of aerodynamic elements on the car that made this possible:
- Extended & revised front splitter: guiding more high speed air underneath the car to create downforce through the Bernoulli effect
- Front air curtains: accelerating air to form a curtain alongside the wheels, reducing their drag
- Nearly flat underfloor to allow the flow underneath the car to accelerate as much as possible
- Ventilation of the front & rear wheel arches
- Revised position of the side air intakes
- Diffuser optimization: reduction of rear wheel wake disturbance, wider & more organic shape to maintain attached flow
- Open rear grill to aid cooling

For more information, visit:
- https://7x.design/
- https://www.envisagegroupltd.com/
- https://www.adrianoraeli.com/
- https://undergroundracing.com/

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The AirShaper videos cover the basics of aerodynamics (aerodynamic drag, drag & lift coefficients, boundary layer theory, flow separation, reynolds number...), simulation aspects (computational fluid dynamics, CFD meshing, ...) and aerodynamic testing (wind tunnel testing, flow visualization, ...).

We then use those basics to explain the aerodynamics of (race) cars (aerodynamic efficiency of electric vehicles, aerodynamic drag, downforce, aero maps, formula one aerodynamics, ...), drones and airplanes (propellers, airfoils, electric aviation, eVTOLS, ...), motorcycles (wind buffeting, motogp aerodynamics, ...) and more!

For more information, visit www.airshaper.com

7X Design Rayo - How to design a 300 mph hypercar based on a Lamborghini Huracan

#rivian #aerodynamics #cfd 

Rivian R1T Aerodynamics - Is the claimed drag coefficient of 0.30 correct?

Learn more about CFD simulations: https://youtu.be/dyiREvdc4Gg

Rivian claims a drag coefficient of just 0.30 for the Rivian R1T. That's much lower than the typical 0.45-0.50 for cars like the Ford F150 and alike.In this video, we'll goo over the details of how they did this.

---Smooth underfloor---
On a conventional ICE (internal combustion engine) truck, many of the drive train components are exposed. This creates quite a lot of aerodynamic resistance as the air flows underneath the car. On the Rivian, they have covered almost the entire underfloor with flat, smooth panels. This greatly reduces the turbulence & drag generated.

---Smooth exterior---
Door handles have been made flush and the design in general doesn't feature many external bits of geometry sticking out. This helps to keep the flow attached to the surface.

---Air deflectors---
Ahead of both the front & rear wheels, air deflectors help to guide the air around the tires, reducing the "head on collision" of the air on the tires. They likely also help to bridge the wheel well area.

---Air curtain---
Inside the front bumper, air gets accelerated through channels which exit in the front wheel wells. This stream of air acts as an air curtain, shielding the rotating wheels. This reduces the drag generated by the wheels, which typically act as large mixers.

---Air breathers---
A slot/channel connects the rear of the front wheel wells to an open channel at the bottom of the door panels. This helps to evacuate some of the high pressure air in the wheel wells and provides a stream of air that ends up at the rear wheels.

---Cabin spoiler---
The spoiler at the cabin helps to "contract" the flow both in top view and side view. The flow lands onto the closed cargo bed, ahead of the trailing edge of the cargo bay. The spoiler also features slots which help to accelerate the flow / draw more air downward into the wake.

---Gaps---
At the top of the right A-pillar we detected more turbulence than the same area at the left A-pillar. Upon closer inspection, we found that there actually was a misalignment of panels, causing this flow problem.

A massive thanks to A2MAC1 (https://www.a2mac1.com/) for providing us with the 3D scan of the Rivian R1T. Just contact us if you want to purchase this or another analysis using their 3D scans.


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The AirShaper videos cover the basics of aerodynamics (aerodynamic drag, drag & lift coefficients, boundary layer theory, flow separation, reynolds number...), simulation aspects (computational fluid dynamics, CFD meshing, ...) and aerodynamic testing (wind tunnel testing, flow visualization, ...).

We then use those basics to explain the aerodynamics of (race) cars (aerodynamic efficiency of electric vehicles, aerodynamic drag, downforce, aero maps, formula one aerodynamics, ...), drones and airplanes (propellers, airfoils, electric aviation, eVTOLS, ...), motorcycles (wind buffeting, motogp aerodynamics, ...) and more!

For more information, visit www.airshaper.com

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