Nowadays, the influence of aerodynamics on vehicles capabilities is mostly studied in terms of energy efficiency; maximum speed; maximum linear accelerations; cooling capacity of brake systems; resistance and deformation of elements exposed to aerodynamic forces; stability during lateral wind and during braking for straight ahead maneuvers; noise caused by airflow; proper evacuation of exhaust gases and aesthetics of cars. Generally, a model for CFD analysis is used and six constant coefficients are determined.
However, there is insufficient information about the interaction of vehicle aerodynamics with vehicle suspension and the effects that this interaction generates on the dynamic behavior of the vehicle.
In this work this interaction is studied, and there is an analysis of how vehicle aerodynamic characteristics impact on suspension behavior and how suspension characteristics could diminish or amplify aerodynamic.
To perform the simulations a functional model was built and three databases were required. First, kinematic and compliance data (K&C) was extracted from a multi-body virtual model. Then, damper and steering system laws were included. Finally, an aerodynamic six DOF model was built using eight measured aerodynamic coefficients and the variation of them through a sixty degrees yaw angle range.
Derived from this study, there are considerations about the importance of building up a well correlated aerodynamic model for performing analysis of vehicles at high velocities.