Author(s) :

Remon Wang.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Global carbon emissions are at an all-time high in part due to gas vehicles. While efforts to switch to more fuel efficient and electric vehicles are prevalent, these efforts are slow. Simple measures to reduce aerodynamic drag through active aerodynamics would increase each individual vehicle’s efficiency, reducing emissions. Active aerodynamic parts alter features of the vehicle’s body and its interaction with the oncoming air. While simulations can model these effects, there is limited empirical data from physical tests essential for understanding airflow around real components by addressing uncontrollable variables simulations couldn’t. To address this gap, this research aims to answer the questions, To what extent can a homemade wind tunnel demonstrate aerodynamic flow? and To what extent do active aerodynamic components improve aerodynamic efficiency? Through an experiment involving a wind tunnel and models of F1 rear wings with openable flaps, this paper investigates the effects of active aerodynamics quantitatively and qualitatively. The variables of the drag force equation were measured and experimentally determined, and the drag force of the open and closed configurations were analyzed. Due to the reduced cross-sectional area, the configuration with an open flap exhibited a 0.51% decrease in drag force compared to the control configuration at slow speeds. From the findings, the decrease in drag reduces the air resistance vehicles combat, decreasing fuel consumption to achieve the same speed. This has implications for climate change through automobile users worldwide, as the findings of this study indicate active aerodynamics’ drag reduction directly lowers fuel consumption in vehicles.