Abstract
Wing twist gives the Grand Touring (GT) sports car an eye-catching ‘aerodynamic shape’, improves downforce and can enhance aerodynamic efficiency if the twist is optimised. This study aimed to explore the influence of optimum total twist and optimum twist distribution upon wing aerodynamics, using numerical analysis. Straight baseline inverted wings with constituent NACA 651-412 and NASA LS(1)-0413 airfoils and linear taper were designed. Complete wings consisted of the baseline wings fitted with a Gurney flap and end plates. Optimum geometric twist was subsequently determined and applied. Aerodynamic parameters including downforce, induced drag and profile drag were computed using a modified version of the classical Prandtl’s Lifting-line Theory. Drag polars were constructed. The numerical analysis suggests that the twist-optimised wing duplicates the ideal aerodynamic performance of a wing of elliptic planform and yields high downforce and minimum possible induced drag. The findings support the implementation of the classical analytical lifting-line model and optimum wing twist at the conceptual stages of GT sports car design.
| Original language | English |
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| Pages (from-to) | 1-6 |
| Journal | Proceedings of the 12th Pan American Congress of Applied Mechanics (PACAM XII) |
| Publication status | Published - 2012 |