Ground effect analysis of a Formula SAE car

This thesis aims to investigate the ground effect behavior of the Formula SAE car, SGe-06, a competitive vehicle of the University of Padua during the academic year 2022/2023. Ground effect is a notable aerodynamic phenomenon resulting from the proximity of the car to the ground, playing a crucial role in generating downforce while minimizing drag. The focus of this study is primarily on the vertical motion of the car induced by aerodynamic loads under steady-state conditions. This heaving motion will be analyzed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations with the Star CCM+ software. The simulations will contribute to evaluating the operational height of the single seater at various velocities. Furthermore, the dynamic effects of this verticalmotion will be explored through simulations using OpenFOAM. These dynamic simulations will be compared with the static case and existing theoretical frameworks to gain a deeper understanding of the ground effect’s influence on the car’s aerodynamic behavior.