Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Tread Pattern on Rotating Wheel Aerodynamics

The present work investigates the dynamic effect of wheel rotation on aerodynamic characteristics slick type (ST) Formula One racing cars using a computational approach. ST model was compared to experimental results as validation case. pressure coefficient over circumference at its middle plane (xy) has been considered an case from literature and computed showed reasonable agreement. Furthermore, quantitative evaluation numerically-determined drag, local separation stagnation angles also those extracted experimentally literature. served by assessing suitability Moving Reference Frame (MRF) method simulate rotation, well defining most reliable conditions testing such optimal meshing criteria, domain size, adopted turbulence model. According studies, all performed Reynolds number 6.8×105 based diameter. wheels lift, moment coefficients were for each Further parametric study tread design (TT) varying depth, h. Besides, general schematic pictures flow behavior around TT are presented.