11 | Indonesian Journal of Science & Technology, Volume 5 Issue 1, January 2020 Hal 11-19
The Effect of Spoiler Shape and Setting Angle on Racing
Cars Aerodynamic Performance
Hesam Eftekhari, Abdulkareem Sh. Mahdi Al-Obaidi
*
, Shahrooz Eftekhari
School of Engineering, Taylor’s University College, No. 1 Jalan SS 15/8 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor DE,
Malaysia
*Correspondence: E-mail: Abdulkareem.mahdi@taylors.edu.my
Automotive racing is one of the favorite sports of human
being. There have been many developments in past decades
by car engineers to improve the performance of the engine
and increase the aerodynamic efficiency of the race cars to
achieve a better lap time and get a better placement safely.
One of the ways to improve the aerodynamic performance of
a race car is to use rear spoilers. This study by using ANSYS
FLUENT numerically investigated the effect of the spoiler
shape and setting angle on the aerodynamic characteristics
of a race car and then it was validated by conducting wind
tunnel experiment. Lift and drag coefficient of NACA0012,
NACA4412, and S1223 are determined in Reynold’s number
of 2×10
5
as an airfoil and as spoiler on ERC model which is a
conceptual car model inspired by Porsche 911. It was found
that ERC model with spoiler would have better aerodynamic
efficiency compared to ERC model without spoiler. Also,
S1223 at -6 degrees was identified as the optimized
configuration as it generates the highest downforce. Even
though the drag coefficient at this setting angle is slightly
higher, but in terms of stability and handling IT is at its best.
Overall, this study would help car manufacturers, for racing
and commercial purposes, to have a better insight into the
effect of spoiler configuration on the aerodynamic
performance of cars. Hence, the stability, handling, and
efficiency of the cars can be further improved by selecting
the suitable spoiler configuration.
© 2020 Tim Pengembang Jurnal UPI
Keywords:
Aerodynamic Performance,
Spoiler,
Race Car,
CFD.
Indonesian Journal of Science & Technology
Journal homepage: http://ejournal.upi.edu/index.php/ijost/
Article History:
Indonesian Journal of Science & Technology 5 (1) (2020) 11-20
____________________
Received 02 Sep 2019
Revised 13 Dec 2019
Accepted 12 Jan 2020
Available online 22 Jan 2020