Getting Started
Welcome to the Aerodynamics team! Here students work closely with almost every other subteam to ensure adequate cooling airflow and also how to increase downforce / reduce drag. Students will learn and perform surface modeling in CAD, fluid simulations, wind tunnel testing, carbon fiber manufacturing and more. Due to the complexity of aerodynamics and BYU's lack of low level aerodynamic courses our team will continually learn about aerodynamics throughout the year, even after we have a working car. We will have weekly "study" meetings in additon to our work hours. Below you will find materials that will help in your journey to learn aerodynamics, including videos, research papers, and even an introduction to BYU Racing Aerodynamics.
General Sub-Team Resources
Terminology & Basic Principles
This intro course should be enough to get you started to participate in the team. Please refer to the remainder of the resources to learn more. Direct all questions about this course to the team lead.
Fluid Simulations (CFD)
BYU has licenses to the following 3 software. They are all installed on the CADEM computers and free for students to use. Please keep in mind wthout understanding the fluid dynamics and ensuring a correct CFD setup you are basically just looking at pretty pictures with little to no worth.
ANSYS CFX Tutorial
ANSYS Fluent Tutorial
STAR-CCM+ Tutorial
Wind Tunnel Testing
BYU has several wind and water tunnels on campus. Ensure you are using the appropriate Reynolds Number with the flow speed at the scale of the tunnel. Please reserve them and recieve training through the Project Support Center
Carbon Fiber
BYU has a composites lab and a composites finishing lab on campus. Both require the supervision of a Lab Assistant, the composites lab is located on the first floor of the SNELL Building and has a scheudle posted on their door. The Finishing lab is located on the first floor of the Engineering Building, talk with an LA in the prototype lab to get access and training.
More Advanced Aerodynamic Principles
Fundamentals of Aerodynamics
Racecar Aerodynamics
Additional Resources
Papers about Aero
CFD Setup & Radiator/ cooling considerations
Akron Cooling Report
Gurney Flap Research
PSCC Aero Report
Underbody Tunnel Research
ANSYS Bodywork Design
Videos about Aero
Flight Vehicle Design Course Videos
Super Fast Matt : Aerodynamics of Speed
Aerodynamic analysis of different car rear end shapes
How Aerodynamics help make a car go faster
Mercedes F1: What is downforce and why is it so important