Enhancement of aerodynamic characteristics in automobiles

The aerodynamic characteristics directly affect the stability, driving characteristics, safety, operation, and oil consumption of automobiles. This study examines the aerodynamic drag force acting over the car body using CFD analysis and results were validated experimentally by conducting the wind tunnel test. The drag force acting over the car body is determined by both numerical and experimental method. A scale down car model is used for the CFD analysis. The topology of the test vehicle and grid system is constructed by commercial packages ANSA, T-grid. Fluent is the CFD solver employed in the study.