AirShaper

For more information, visit
https://www.airshaper.com
https://www.ucla.edu/
https://www.shellecomarathon.com/

This lecture covers:

Basics of aerodynamics:
- laminar versus turbulent flow
- pressure drag and friction drag
- drag coefficients
- Reynolds number
- Boundary layers
- Flow separation

Basics of CFD (computational fluid dynamics)
- Modelling
- Meshing & discretization
- Iteration

Basics of wind tunnels:
- Components (fan, diffuser, turning vanes, settling chamber, honey combs, screens, test section)
- Blockage factor
- Wall effects
- Scaled model testing
- Force measurements
- PIV (particle image velocimetry)

Discussion of the UCLA eco marathon design

Shell Eco Marathon - Aerodynamics course at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles)

For more information visit:
- AirShaper: https://www.airshaper.com
- Sample project: https://app.airshaper.com/projects/tesla-cybertruck-public-3d-model
- Tesla: https://www.tesla.com


In this video, we analyzed the design changes on the Tesla Cybertruck since the first concept was launched. Earlier, we had used a public 3D model off the internet for a "quick & dirty" CFD analysis. However flawed that approach was, it did highlight both the pros and cons:
- The base profile allows for very good pressure recovery and thus low drag
- The sharp edges need careful execution to avoid excessive flow separation & drag (and noise)

In this video, we used our old analysis and compared it to the design updates we spotted:
- Air deflectors ahead of the front wheels
- Rounded front bumper
- Increased gap between upper & lower bumper
- Flush headlights
- Limited offset between roof and side windows
- Windscreen wiper design


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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

Tesla Cybertruck Aerodynamics - Production version updates

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

https://www.dottocreations.com/
https://www.airshaper.com/

General information: https://airshaper.com/motogp-aerodynamics-challenge
Aero update 2 (with wings on the bodywork): https://app.airshaper.com/projects/dotto-creations-airshaper-motogp-challenge-aero-update-2
Aero update 3: https://app.airshaper.com/projects/dotto-creations-airshaper-motogp-challenge-aero-update-3

For the third aero update, we had modified:
- the tire cross section
- aerodynamic cover of the front suspension
- central air intake
- tail section

Results:
- Less aerodynamic drag!
- Slightly less downforce, but manageable
- More attached flow on the bodywork

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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 - Air intake and suspension covers - Dotto Creations AirShaper Aero Update 3

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

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