Quote:
Originally Posted by rkcarguy
Does it matter aerodynamically(keeping stability out of the equation) which way you "split" the air?
|
It does, but maybe not in the way you expected.
Splitting the air so it goes over or aside the streamlined vehicle rather than underneath helps (with an aerodynamically dirty underside) is beneficial.
Quote:
For example lets a take a 6'x4' rectangular frontal area, on one example the top and bottom taper to the nose while the sides are straight and flat.
On a second example all 4 sides taper to a point. Will one have any advantage over the other?
|
There's no point in aggressively tapering the front, as it's worse than a blunt spherical shape (at low airspeeds).
Weird as it may sound :
If you have to streamline a brick, you'll gain the most by streamlining the rear !
Quote:
|
In addition, when you look at "aerodynamic" cars, whats with the bulges around the wheels? Wouldn't it be more aerodynamic to have the sides flat and smooth with the wheels as flush to the panel as possible?
|
A bulge adds frontal area, which should be reduced as much as possible.
Even streamlined bulges add to the drag.
But reducing the rear track width reduces stability, so sometimes (as in the Insight picture) the upper body tapers in, reducing wake area, while the lower is bulged or continues almost straight aft (Insight) to keep sufficient track width.