AirShaper

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

Robin Shute has won the Pikes Peak Hill Climb multiple times. He's using AirShaper to improve the aerodynamics of his car:
- For the next Pikes Peak race
- For race tracks

As the aerodynamics are quite different between Pikes Peak and race tracks, he ran a lot of simulations to tweak the downforce, aero balance and drag on this car.

The result was a well balanced car, which correlated very well with the simulated behavior of AirShaper. Based on these modifications, Robin already broke the record at Streets of Willow, smashing it by 11 seconds.


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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

How to break lap records - Race car aerodynamics with Robin Shute - Pikes Peak king of the mountain!

Visit https://www.airshaper.com for more info on aerodynamics.

The Chery aero concept claims a drag coefficient of just 0.168, which is significantly lower than the values of Tesla, Lucid which hover around 0.20.

This is still a concept car, so it remains to be seen how it performs once it goes into production.

Video credit: https://weibo.com/tv/show/1034:4962841434718256

Lowest Drag Coefficient in the World - The Chery Aero Concept

For more information, visit www.airshaper.com

CFD Automation - AirShaper course at San Diego State University

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

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