The Need for Speed: Optimum Angle of Attacks for a Race Car Rear Airfoil

Overview

Objectives/Goals The objective of this project is to determine what kind of airfoil or spoiler based on angle of attack provides the best turning performance with the best speed. Methods/Materials This experiment was conducted by creating a low speed wind tunnel built of cardboard, wood, Plexiglas, and used a house fan for wind generation. It was built to test the effects of changing angle of attack on a symmetrical airfoil. Dry ice was used for flow visualization. The airfoil is made of foam and cut using a hot wire cutter. The data was collected through photography at various fan speeds and angles of attack of the airfoil. Results The results of the images of the airflow over the airfoil or wing and the angle of attack where the flow started to separate correlated to the hypothesis of what was predicted for optimum down force. Conclusions/Discussion Despite limitations to the experiment using a home built wind tunnel, The hypothesis was validated through use of photography and analysis. The optimum airfoil for a race car needs to be designed with a -20 degree angle of attack to produce the best traction and braking performance.

Competition history

• CSEF 2017 Aerodynamics/ Hydrodynamics (Junior Division Only) · Entry J0120

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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