The Sensitivity of Wind-Tunnel Data to a High-Speed Moving Ground for Different Types of Road Vehicles

SARDOU S.A. started as an aerodynamic consulting company using rented wind tunnels with moving or stationary ground. The company was involved in the racing car and low-drag research business.

During its work, it appeared that it was necessary to use a moving ground and a high Reynolds number wind tunnel for this work.

As there was no facility available giving both high air speed and ground motion, the company built its own wind tunnel.

This paper presents and analyzes results in the Max Sardou Wind Tunnel (MSWT) with trains trucks, sedan cars and racing cars.