The Effect of Center Belt Roughness on Vehicle Aerodynamics

Document Number: 2009-01-0776

Date Published: April 2009

Author(s):
Timo Kuthada - IVK / FKFS Universität Stuttgart
David Schroeck - IVK / FKFS Universität Stuttgart
Jürgen Potthoff - IVK / FKFS Universität Stuttgart
Jochen Wiedemann - IVK / FKFS Universität Stuttgart

Abstract:
Recently built or refurbished wind tunnel facilities show a trend towards a detailed simulation of road conditions. Therefore, these wind tunnel facilities are equipped with boundary layer conditioning systems and a rolling road consisting of one or several belts in order to simulate the rotation of the wheels and the relative motion between the vehicle underfloor and the road. Belts are either realized in rubber or steel. Steel belts offer the possibility to be coated with rubber to protect the belt itself. This coating additionally offers the possibility to attain a certain roughness to represent the road surface.

This paper presents measurements of the roughness of the steel belt systems installed in the IVK Model Scale and Aero-Acoustic Full Scale Wind Tunnel in comparison to road surfaces. Additionally, the influence of roughness on the aerodynamic coefficients drag and lift is presented and discussed for the SAE reference body with different rear end configurations.

File Size: 852K
Product Status: In Stock

Included in: V118-6

See other papers presented at SAE World Congress & Exhibition, April 2009, Detroit, MI, USA, Session: Vehicle Aerodynamics (Part 5 of 5): Ground Simulation Wheels and Tires

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