| AERODYNAMIC DESIGN OF A SOLAR ROAD VEHICLE |
| Ljubomir Majdandžić1, Dalibor Buljić1, Andrija Buljac2, Hrvoje Kozmar2 |
1Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek
2University of Zagreb |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ABSTRACT |
|
Solar road vehicles have very specific design requirements. This makes their aerodynamic characteristics quite
different from classic sedan vehicles. In the present study, the computational model of a typical solar road vehicle was
developed to investigate its aerodynamic forces and flow characteristics. Computations were performed assuming the steady
viscous flow and using the Reynolds-averaged Navier Stokes equations along with the k-ω turbulence model. The obtained
results indicate some important findings that are commonly not present for classic sedan vehicles. In particular, a contribution
of the viscous drag force to the overall drag force is considerably larger (41 %) than it is the case for the standard passenger
road vehicles, where the form drag force dominates over the viscous drag force. Surface pressure distribution patterns indicate
a favorable aerodynamic design of this vehicle. In particular, larger pressure coefficients on the top of the vehicle body as
compared to the bottom surface contribute to increasing a downforce and thus the vehicle traction. The airfoil-shaped crosssection
of the designed cockpit canopy has favorable properties with respect to reduction of the aerodynamic drag force. |
| Key Words:
Solar electric vehicle, Aerodynamic design and forces, Computational model, Reynolds-averaged Navier-
Stokes equations, k-ω turbulence model |
|
Corresponding Author.
Hrvoje Kozmar , Email. 
Preview 
Full text via DOI 
Download Citation
Print
