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Bluff Body Drag Reduction with Ventilated Base Cavities

Howell, J; Sims-Williams, D; Sprot, A; Hamlin, F; Dominy, R

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Authors

J Howell

A Sprot

F Hamlin

R Dominy



Abstract

Various techniques to reduce the aerodynamic drag of bluff bodies through the mechanism of base pressure recovery have been investigated. These include, for example, boat-tailing, base cavities and base bleed. In this study an Ahmed body in squareback configuration is modified to include a base cavity of variable depth, which can be ventilated by slots. The investigation is conducted in freestream and in ground proximity. It is shown that, with a plain cavity, the overall body drag is reduced for a wide range of cavity depths, but a distinct minimum drag condition is obtained. On adding ventilation slots a comparable drag reduction is achieved but at a greatly reduced cavity depth. Pressure data in the cavity is used to determine the base drag component and shows that the device drag component is significant. Modifications of the slot geometry to reduce this drag component and the effects of slot distribution are investigated. Some flow visualisation using PIV for different cavity configurations is also presented.

Citation

Howell, J., Sims-Williams, D., Sprot, A., Hamlin, F., & Dominy, R. (2012). Bluff Body Drag Reduction with Ventilated Base Cavities. SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars - Mechanical Systems, 5(1), 152-160. https://doi.org/10.4271/2012-01-0171

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Apr 16, 2012
Deposit Date May 9, 2013
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars - Mechanical Systems
Print ISSN 1946-3995
Electronic ISSN 1946-4002
Publisher SAE International
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 5
Issue 1
Pages 152-160
DOI https://doi.org/10.4271/2012-01-0171

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