Studies of ground effect automotive aerodynamics

Tracie Barber*, Christopher Beves, Sam Diasinos, Graham Doig, Eddie Leonardi, Andrew Neely

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A purpose-designed wind tunnel and moving ground, specifically for ground effect studies using laser diagnostics, has been constructed in the University of New South Wales' (UNSW) Advanced Fluid Dynamics Laboratory. The tunnel and moving ground speeds are powered independently through the use of AC motors and variable frequency controllers. Models are generally manufactured from acrylic to allow a laser sheet to pass through them for flow visualization and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements. A three-dimensional Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA) system, operating in backscatter mode, is also used to take coincident measurements for the ground effect study. The system employs a 5W ion argon laser producing three pairs of specific wavelength beams and a Bragg cell that produces a frequency shift in one of each of the pair of beams, allowing directional ambiguity to be resolved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)52-55
Number of pages4
JournalAutoTechnology
Volume7
Issue numberAPR.
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2007
Externally publishedYes

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