Development of a 3D CFD Model for the Simulation of a Formula SAE Car during Cornering
2026 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
In this thesis work, the development of a CFD model for the evaluation of the aerodynamicperformances of a Formula Student race car in cornering is presented. Theproject begins with the renovation of the straight-line condition pre-processing workflow,with the intent of increasing the accuracy of the results compared to the previousmodel. This approach exploits an isolated front-wing model, enabling faster analysis ofthe effects of meshing parameters on overall mesh quality and solution. Then, a comparisonbetween wall-function and wall-resolved meshes is conducted to understand thediscrepancies between them. To conclude the renovation process, the model is validatedusing wind-tunnel data, showing a more coherent behavior with respect to the experimentalvalues than the previous model, though with room for further improvementsin accuracy. Finally, the new model is applied to the cornering setup, which uses acake-shaped domain to simulate the cornering car by applying a rotational frame of reference.The results of the cornering model are then compared with a yawed-car modelto identify differences in aerodynamic forces and the flow structure around the car.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2026.
Series
TRITA-SCI-GRU ; 2026:004
Keywords [en]
Computational Fluid Mechanics, Formula Student, Aerodynamics, Cornering, Meshing, RANS Simulations, Pre-Processing, Post-Processing
National Category
Engineering and Technology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-375969OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kth-375969DiVA, id: diva2:2033311
External cooperation
Unibo Motorsport
Subject / course
Fluid Mechanics
Educational program
Master of Science - Aerospace Engineering
Supervisors
Examiners
2026-01-292026-01-292026-01-29Bibliographically approved