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This paper presents a study developed in order to improve the aerodynamic performance of an automotive prototype by means of simulations carried out by a software that makes of the finite volume method. The prototype will be built at the Laboratory of Automotive Engineering of the Lutheran University of Brazil - ULBRA. Taking into account the original design of the automotive prototype, three virtual models were generated and analyzed. There were three steps to simulate the aerodynamic behavior on a 3D model: generation of the geometry with the employment of CAD software, generation of the mesh for the faces and volume that involve the car, using specific software, and solving the flow, with a CFD software. The results of the analysis allowed identifying the model with the lowest aerodynamic drag. That model had some modifications on its design, when compared to the original one, like wheels and their housings.

This paper presents a system developed for measurement of force, based on a load cell. The aim was to design a device capable of measuring the components of the force, drag and lift, which acted over automotive spoilers. In order to enable the system to measure the drag and the lift force, it was necessary to develop a system capable of measuring only the components of interest, uncoupling efforts, such as multiple solicitations and vibration. Measurements of force were carried out over an airfoil, employing the measuring system described in this paper. The results showed that the values of the forces that acted over the airfoil were in agreement to the expected. Airfoils are used mainly in automotive racing cars to increase adherence between the tires and ground. Car prepares have made use of theirs experience to determine the best type and angle of attack for the airfoils.

The purpose of this study was to develop a body of a competition vehicle, the sports prototype category. This category has the aerodynamics as one of its main features, so much of their good performance depends on your body. The project proposal was generating an initial 3D CAD geometry, based on studies and existing vehicles. After analysis of the initial model, modifications were proposed in order to achieve better results for a competition vehicle. The simulation of the airflow over the 3D model of the body was performed in three steps: generation of geometry in SolidWorks CAD program, discretization of the model and the limited domain around it, using mesh generation program ICEM, and resolution of the flow in program of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), ANSYS (FLUENT). The turbulence model used in this work has two equations, which models the turbulent kinetic energy k and dissipation ε.

In the last decades it has been constantly debated about the behaviour of the human being towards a better usage of the natural resources through a restructuring of unsustainable processes. Considering the case for road vehicles, it was noticed a potential for improvement by assigning a more “harmonious” configuration to the underbody of the vehicles, in order to contribute to the reduction of aerodynamic drag. This region of the vehicles is often overlooked by the automakers because it is not easily accessible to the eyes of the consumer. The objective of this paper is, therefore, to improve the aerodynamic performance of the underbody region of a compact hatchback car available in the Brazilian market. This project proposes a new underbody configuration that promotes a more harmonious flow under the vehicle, reducing this way the drag coefficient (Cd) hence improving the fuel consumption.