Session: 17-01-01: Research Posters

Paper Number: 149260

149260 - Enhancing Aerodynamics of F1® in Schools Race Car Using Venturi Effect 

F1 in Schools is a global competition designed to improve high school students' understanding abilities at a level higher than their educational category through the use of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) methods. Design is carried out using Autodesk Fusion 360 and then the car body is machined using a CNC machine to carry the anticipated features such as car body, front wing, rear wing, and wheel systems. The body of an F1 school car is composed of polyurethane foam, while the front wing is built of 3D-printed PET-CF material. One of the most critical concepts of F1 in school cars is aerodynamics, which is quantified by the drag coefficient and downforce coefficient. The F1 in school car velocity is essentially related to the aerodynamics of the designed features of the car components mainly the car body and wings. This study uses Autodesk CFD software which simulates wind tunnel testing to examine the impact of various body and front wing designs that preserve a higher downforce coefficient while producing a low drag coefficient. To achieve higher speed, we applied the venturi effect which is a reduction in airflow pressure that results in speeding up the airflow and to do that the air needs to flow from a wide space to a smaller one. We used the airfoil method where we placed an airfoil on the vertical reference plane in the middle of the car model and drew a sketch on the edges to cut under the car model. Consequently, this will result in low pressure under the car compared to the upper part of the car, thereby generating downforce and increasing car stability on the track. The front wing is a part of the study because we designed it to complete the cut by leaving the middle open to allow more airflow under the car to achieve a more effective design. Three cases have been selected to study it is case 1 (0.0 degree) case 2 (-1.5 degree) case 3 (1.5 degree). Aerodynamics was tested to predict the drag coefficient and downforce coefficient for all models through Autodesk CFD wind tunnel simulation with airflow at a rate of 20 m/sec. The results showed that the first case (0.0 degree) provided the lowest drag coefficient and highest downforce coefficient which will be considered as our concluding design for the completion. The final modification of the bottom of the car was found to successfully enhance the car's aerodynamics by reducing drag and increasing downforce.

Presenting Author: Ali Rajhi king khalid university

Presenting Author Biography: Ali A. Rajhi received his PhD in mechanical engineering in 2019 from Lehigh University, USA. He is currently works as an Associate professor at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia. His research interests include the fabrications and characterizations of polymeric and ceramics materials. In addition to developing and implementing new materials for advanced renewable and medical applications.
During his academic career, Dr. Ali has written numerous journal conferences and
Papers. He has presented his research at both professional conferences and university lectures.
He has also received awards from The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), Lehigh Valley Chapter, and King Khalid university.

Authors:

Feras Al Shehri Ministry of Ednucation, Aseer region
Leen Al Gaees Ministery of Education, Aseer region
Yazan Al Gubaisi King Khalid University
Sagr Al Amri king khalid univeresty
Ali Rajhi king khalid university