Effect of the Air Duct System of a Simplified Vehicle Model on Aerodynamic Performance

Abstract

In this numerical study, ducted Ahmed model is used to study aerodynamic characteristics of ducted models and how ducting would contribute to the energy consumption reduction effort from aerodynamic resistance. Three-dimensional, incompressible, and steady governing equations were solved by commercial software PHOENICS (version 2018) with extended turbulent model proposed by Chen-Kim (1987). The study can be considered as a stepping stone to bring a new approach to design aerodynamically efficient vehicle by ducting target vehicles. To investigate the feasibility of the ducting for aerodynamic energy efficiency improvement, fundamental study has been conducted numerically on a simple body before applying to appropriate vehicle model. It is observed from the study that ducting would reduce over 19% of the pressure drag, to the contrary the increase in skin friction drag is noted although its significance to the total drag is very less compared to pressure drag. Therefore, study of ducting and its effect on aerodynamic performance is expected to contribute to improvement of electric vehicle aerodynamic performance.