CFD Analysis of Automotive Bodies in Static Pressure Gradients

Recently, the Two-Measurement correction method that yields a wake distortion adjustment for open jet wind tunnels has shown promise of being able to adjust for many of the effects of non-ideal static pressure gradients on bluff automotive bodies. Utilization of this adjustment has shown that a consistent drag results when the vehicle is subjected to the various gradients generated in open jet wind tunnels. What has been lacking is whether this consistent result is independent of the other tunnel interference effects. The studies presented here are intended to fill that gap and add more realistic model and wind tunnel conditions to the evaluations of the performance of the two-measurement technique. The subject CFD studies are designed to greatly reduce all wind tunnel interference effects except for the variation of the non-linear static pressure gradients. A zero gradient condition is generated by simulating a solid wall test section with a blockage ratio of 0.1%. The non-linear gradients are simulated using a semi-open jet test section with a very large 40 square meter nozzle exit and a variable length test section. Under these conditions, the variation in drag coefficient is observed with and without application of the two-measurement method adjustments. Conclusions are reached relative to the ability of this approach to achieve interference free results on a fully detailed sedan body style and the sources of the drag change caused by the pressure gradient.