Aerodynamics analysis for optimization the design of a Baja SAE chassis

The aerodynamic analysis of vehicles using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a powerful tool that is used to explore and investigate how air flow behaves around the vehicle, gives a qualitative idea of aerodynamic behavior and provides engineers with the information necessary to design the pieces that will be tested in the wind tunnel. This technique allows to find the values of forces and moments to get an idea of the drag resistance and lift forces on the vehicle. It is also possible to determine the position of the center of pressure that exerts a vital importance in the definition of the directional stability of the vehicle in its lateral dynamics. On the other hand, it offers the advantage of being able to see many variables of the problem that are very difficult to access in reality, for example to see current lines, vortex shedding, fields of pressures around the vehicle. Although the use of CFD has become a common practice in the automotive industry in recent decades, it is still not considered as a single technique, since one of the limitations is related to the dynamics of a turbulent flow is quite complex so which analytical and computational study depends on what is called Turbulence Models. This article aims to show the aerodynamic design process by CFD simulation of a Baja SAE vehicle chassis using Ansys software, widely used for simulation of static charges, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, multiphysics systems and vibrations and to provide information that can be validated experimentally in the future.