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Within the advances in Computer Fluid Dynamics algorithms and High Performance Computing, large clusters become available at low costs allowing virtual simulations that were not possible some years ago at reasonable costs and time. This work uses intensively this condition and applies these advances on brake system optimization. The methodology developed in the present work verifies the best angular position for caliper inside the wheel to reduce the rotor temperature during braking process such as downhill procedure. Thus, this method is applied to a mini-VAN vehicle, where the best position is found, based on two design parameters: rotor temperature and convection heat transfer coefficient. This study shows that the most suitable position for initial selection is the first one.

This work here presented shows a comparative computational fluid dynamics study of several wheel openings designs and its influences on the drag coefficient measured over a high performance sedan. For all wheels designs, two situations were compared for the same speed of 110 km/h: static wheels - fixed ground and rotating wheels - moving ground. Results show that the drag coefficient value in the rotating wheel case is lower compared to the same wheel design in the static wheel case. Flow pattern and differences are illustrated by pressure, velocity and wake contours. These differences on rotating and non-rotating wheels are important for the correct development of underbody aero parts for all kind of vehicles.

Aerodynamics plays a critical hole in open wheels race cars. The work here presented shows a comparative study of different undertrays design and their influence over the drag coefficient measured on an open wheel prototype race car, using CFD simulations in a virtual wind tunnel. For all cases, velocity was 60 km/h and it was considered both moving ground and rotating wheels to look for a more realist representation of the real interaction between car and racetrack. One model without any aero-part was taken as baseline and three different undertrays proposals were evaluated looking for an aerodynamic improvement. As final results, the drag coefficient of the proposals were ranked and compared with baseline results. Also pressure, velocity and wake images help to illustrate the improvements on the drag coefficient by using an undertray in this vehicle.