Ground effect aerodynamics research of racing cars

The research work conducted at the University of Southampton to analyze the ground effect aerodynamics of racing cars, are discussed. The ground effect aerodynamics of a racing car is characterized by features such as unsteady flow caused by suspension motion, movement of laminar to turbulent transition on surfaces closest to the road caused by chipping, vortex breakdown caused by large pressure gradient, turbulent wake caused by separation and shear layer instability, and ground boundary layer caused by local pressure gradient. The downforce generated by inverted wings increases as the height reduces from freestream and the magnitude of downforce starts falling after attaining maximum value. When the wing is brought closer to the ground, flow is accelerated which causes higher peak suction and higher pressure recovery demand, resulting in separation of boundary layer at the trailing edge of the suction surface at a critical height.