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FLUENT: Reference values, Boundary Conditions, Drag Co-efficient and Downforce |
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#1 |
Member
Harshal
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 51
Rep Power: 12 ![]() |
Hello all,
I have recently undertaken a project in vehicle aerodynamics and I need some guidance. In my project work, I have to do two simulations. Simulation 1: Keep the car stationary and the give the wind velocity and Simulation 2: Give the car it's velocity and keep the wind stationary. Then, I have to compare the results. I have questions regarding reference values, boundary conditions and drag co-efficient. 1) Reference values: In the 'Area' option, I have given the projected surface area of the car in the X direction, since I want to know the drag. What should I give for the 'Length' option ? The car length ? Also, for the 'Velocity' option what should I input. I think I should give 0 for Simulation 1 and the car velocity for simulation 2, but I am not sure. 2) Boundary Conditions: In boundary conditions, there is an option for 'Hydraulic Diameter'. The car, that I am analysing sits in a rectangular 3D wind tunnel. Therefore, I have given the 'Hydraulic Diameter' for Inlet and Outlet as that of a rectangular vent, namely (2*a*b) /(a+b) where 'a' is the width and 'b' is the height. Is this correct. 3) Drag Co-efficient: I am not sure whether Fluent directly gives the drag co-efficient or not. For every iteration it shows the cd value, but I think it's the cd convergence values and not the absolute cd value. Am I correct ? Or should I just calculate the cd value from the drag force ? 4) Downforce: I know that I can get the downforce from the Reports>Forces option. The question is, that in my 'Reference Values', in the 'Area' option, I plan to give the projected car surface area in x direction. Will this lead to a wrong downforce value ? (Since downforce calculation need projected area in the Z direction and not X direction) Thank You for your help, Regards, Harshal |
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#2 |
Member
Mohsen
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 49
Rep Power: 14 ![]() |
Hi Harshal,
In simulation 1, you should consider velocity inlet and an outlet condition, and stationary wall for car. In simulation 2, you should consider a moving wall and you don't need any inlet or outlet condition. I don't know anything about calculation of drag in fluent. Be successful. |
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#3 | |
Member
Harshal
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 51
Rep Power: 12 ![]() |
Quote:
thank you for your replies. They have very helpful ! Regards, Harshal |
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#4 |
Senior Member
Andrew Kokemoor
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 122
Rep Power: 14 ![]() |
Reference values are only used to calculate non-dimensional coefficients, such as the coefficient of drag. Their settings will not affect physical values such as force. Regarding 3), check out the Fluent User's Guide, chapter 28.15.3 on force and moment monitors.
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#5 |
Senior Member
Stuart Buckingham
Join Date: May 2010
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 267
Rep Power: 26 ![]() ![]() |
Simulation 2 will not work.
Except for the rare case that your car is actually a flat plate... |
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#6 |
Member
Mohsen
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 49
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#7 |
Super Moderator
Alex
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Germany
Posts: 3,426
Rep Power: 49 ![]() ![]() |
Without moving/deforming meshes, a moving wall can only have a tangential velocity component.
The only shape where this makes sense is indeed a flat plate or a rotating cylinder/sphere. |
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#8 | |
Member
Harshal
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 51
Rep Power: 12 ![]() |
Quote:
thank you for your reply. Could you please explain what you mean by moving/deforming mesh ? I'm going through the Fluent user handbook. Do you mean moving frames of reference or moving mesh ? Also, in moving mesh there are two types : sliding and dynamic. Can you please explain which option to use ? Thanks, Harshal |
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#9 |
Super Moderator
Alex
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Germany
Posts: 3,426
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None of them.
For an external aerodynamics simulation of a vehicle, the only sensible approach is number 1. Dont forget to model the floor as a moving wall. |
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#10 | |
Member
Harshal
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 51
Rep Power: 12 ![]() |
Quote:
Just out of curiosity, if I give inlet velocity in BOTH the simulations and in the 1st take road as moving wall and in second give velocity to the car, would there be any difference in the results ? Thanks, Harshal |
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#11 | |
Member
Harshal
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 51
Rep Power: 12 ![]() |
Quote:
I want to ask you about the moving wall condition. I have created a velocity inlet and given the wind velocity. Now I have defined the road as a moving wall and have given the car velocity to it (which is same as the velocity-inlet velocity ). The question is should I select the road (moving wall) as 'relative to adjacent zone' or as 'absolute' velocity ? Thanks, Harshal |
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#12 |
Super Moderator
Alex
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Germany
Posts: 3,426
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Since you have no moving zones, both options should yield the same result.
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#13 |
Member
Harshal
Join Date: Oct 2013
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#14 |
Member
Harshal
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 51
Rep Power: 12 ![]() |
Hello all,
I need your help. I have to find out the Cd and Cl values for a car using k-epsilon and k-omega models for multiple speeds (about 15 different speeds). Can some one please tell me how to do that ? Thanks a lot, Harshal |
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#15 |
Member
Harshal
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 51
Rep Power: 12 ![]() |
Hello all,
I wanted to know which area does fluent consider to calculate lift force for a car. From what I found out, the area considered for calculating lift force varies from object to object. So, can someone please tell me how to find out the area, which Fluent uses for calculating lift force on a vehicle. Thanks, Harshal |
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#16 |
Super Moderator
Alex
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Germany
Posts: 3,426
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The area Fluent uses for calculating coefficients can be found (and changed) in the reference values section.
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#17 | |
Member
Harshal
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 51
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Quote:
as far as I know, for the Cd value, the area projected in X direction (frontal area) is considered while for Cl, the area projected in Z direction (car viewed from top) is considered. As these two values are different, I wanted to know which area value to put in the Reference Values. I want to have both, the Cd and the Cl. Harshal |
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#18 |
Super Moderator
Alex
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Germany
Posts: 3,426
Rep Power: 49 ![]() ![]() |
You could set the area to some specific value (1mē would be quite handy) and multiply the lift and drag coefficients fluent produces by any factor you want.
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#19 |
Member
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I m new to fluent.I am doing analysis in fluent.but my domain seems upside down(inverted)
![]() How can i fix it::; kindly help me.. |
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#20 |
Member
Harshal
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 51
Rep Power: 12 ![]() |
Hello all,
I recently completed my project work. This was my first experience with CFD and I thank you all for your help and guidance. Without your support, it would not have been possible for me to complete this project. Thank You all ! Harshal |
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Tags |
boundary conditions, downforce, drag, reference values |
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