Careful application of wake relaxation and Trefftz plane analysis methods have ensured accurate and converged solutions for lift and induced drag on complex high-lift assemblies such as rear wings. A high priority has been placed on the flexibility and ease of use of the method, especially in the areas of geometry pre-processing and the visualisation of results. Streamlines can be seeded by the user from any point on the body, allowing rapid insight into the flow behaviour. The configuration was modelled in ground effect, complete with radiator duct and engine inlet modelling at a range of representative ride heights. 5870 panels were used to model the half-body, with reflection about the symmetry plane and a further reflection about the ground plane.
Sample streamline tracing and rear wing wake filaments after two wake relaxations are shown.
Underbody pressure data, displayed as a colour ramp through a range of pressure coefficients, is shown in the right hand figure above. Now that geometries of this degree of complexity can be modelled and analysed, it is extremely important that the post-processor allows rapid graphical assimilation of output data. Results may be viewed from any orientation, and streamlines can be seeded by the user at any point on the body. Areas of separated flow and transition locations at different Reynolds numbers can be visualised graphically. Results from different ride heights and wake relaxations can be directly compared.