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Old 11-21-2008, 11:15 AM   #84 (permalink)
trebuchet03
MechE
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 1,151

The Miata - '01 Mazda MX-5 Miata
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Following the information a book titled "Road Vehicle Aerodynamics" by Scibor-Rylski - I modeled a ground effect approximation. Downside is, it doesn't take into account viscous losses and I can no longer measure lift. What you don't see in that image is the bottom half of the model, which is a mirror image. Plane 3is the virtual ground - 14 inches below the vehicle.

Why? I don't have enough memory to run even a 2D ground plane... Bugger... At low resolution, I can make it

So I've added an engine approximation thing and a radiator. The radiator is a bunch of squares (40, I think) offset from each other by about a half inch. I added my two grille openings and an outlet vent on the top (which is a bit too big methinks).

According to Scibor-Rylski - internal losses account for about 12% of total aerodrag with gains to be had up to 6%. Mind you, this book is a bit dated
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Is this model right? I lean towards "no." My tuft testing showed fairly steady flow the entire length of the hood. BUT, light yarn doesn't need much velocity to show a flow direction. This could very well be what's happening, but I'm not entirely convinced just yet. I'm going to measure my grille's and modify.
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